Hsa_circ_0061140 promotes endometrial carcinoma progression via regulating miR-149-5p/STAT3

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are reported to participate in many diseases including tumorigenesis, which can modulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Up to now, the detailed function of circRNAs in endometrial carcinoma (EC) progression are to be well established. hsa_circ_0061140 has been revealed to act as crucial regulators in several cancers. This current study was carried out to explore the function of hsa_circ_0061140 in EC development. Here, hsa_circ_0061140 expression was modulated using functional assays and we found loss of hsa_circ_0061140 significantly restrained EC cells progression. Moreover, we revealed hsa_circ_0061140 could act as a molecular sponge for miR-149-5p. STAT3 was predicted as a downstream target gene of miR-149-5p. As well known, miR-149-5p is reported to be involved in tumor growth and metastasis. Then, dual luciferase reporter experiment and RIP assay were carried out to evidence the direct binding association between hsa_circ_0061140 and miR-149-5p. miR-149-5p was able to negatively modulate STAT3 expression. Additionally, we proved hsa_circ_0061140 exhibited its oncogenic role due to the modulation of miR-149-5p and STAT3 axis. Taken these together, we suggested that hsa_circ_0061140 might act as an effective therapy to treat EC through functioning as a molecular sponge of miR-149-5p.