A novel circFMN2 promotes tumor proliferation in CRC by regulating the miR-1182/hTERT signaling pathways

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 3, 2026

Molecular Profiling of the Invasive Tumor Microenvironment in a 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Ex vivo Fibroblasts
10:33

Molecular Profiling of the Invasive Tumor Microenvironment in a 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Ex vivo Fibroblasts

Published on: April 29, 2014

11.4K

Yongchao Li1, Changfeng Li2, Ruisi Xu2

  • 1Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, Jilin, P.R. China.

Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)
|November 19, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. This study identifies circFMN2 as a key circRNA, linked to CRC via the miR-1182/hTERT axis, offering potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs with poorly understood roles in colorectal cancer (CRC).
  • Understanding circRNA-mediated mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted CRC therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of circRNAs in colorectal cancer.
  • To identify novel circRNA-based therapeutic targets for CRC through circRNA-microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Microarray analysis identified differentially expressed circRNAs in CRC tissues.
  • Quantitative real-time PCR and functional assays assessed circFMN2 expression and its effects on CRC cell proliferation and tumorigenesis.
  • Luciferase reporter assays and Western blot confirmed the circFMN2/miR-1182/hTERT axis.

Main Results:

  • circFMN2 was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines.
  • Knockdown of circFMN2 inhibited CRC cell proliferation and migration in vitro.
  • circFMN2, miR-1182, and hTERT form a regulatory axis involved in CRC progression, with circFMN2 also detected in serum exosomes of CRC patients.

Conclusions:

  • circFMN2 is a key circRNA linking circRNAs to colorectal cancer progression.
  • The identified circFMN2/miR-1182/hTERT axis provides a novel molecular mechanism in CRC.
  • circFMN2 may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC.
Keywords:
CRCceRNAcircFMN2circRNAsexosome

More Related Videos

Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer08:12

Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Published on: March 14, 2019

5.9K
In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice07:02

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice

Published on: August 23, 2019

7.7K

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.0K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.6K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.7K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
23.8K
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
7.6K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
7.6K