CircRNA circPDSS1 promotes bladder cancer by down-regulating miR-16

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Circular RNA (circRNA) circPDSS1, an identified oncogene in gastric cancer, has unknown roles in other cancers.
• This study investigates the function of circPDSS1 in urothelial bladder cancer (UBC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the role of circPDSS1 in the development and progression of urothelial bladder cancer (UBC).
• To investigate the relationship between circPDSS1 and miR-16 in UBC.
• To assess the potential of circPDSS1 as a therapeutic target for UBC.

Main Methods:

• Gene expression levels of circPDSS1 and miR-16 were measured using RT-qPCR in 72 UBC patient biopsies and UBC cell lines (HT-1197, UMUC3).
• Cell transfections were performed to manipulate circPDSS1 and miR-16 expression.
• Functional assays including proliferation, migration, and invasion assays were conducted to evaluate the impact of circPDSS1 and miR-16 on UBC cell behavior.

Main Results:

• circPDSS1 was found to be significantly up-regulated in UBC tissues, with expression levels correlating with advanced clinical stages.
• circPDSS1 overexpression led to increased proliferation, migration, and invasion of UBC cells.
• circPDSS1 was found to down-regulate miR-16, and miR-16 overexpression inhibited UBC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while also attenuating the effects of circPDSS1.

Conclusions:

• circRNA circPDSS1 promotes UBC progression, potentially by down-regulating miR-16.
• circPDSS1 represents a potential oncogene and therapeutic target in urothelial bladder cancer.