Hsa_circ_0007494 suppresses prostate cancer progression via miR-616/PTEN axis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a role in prostate cancer (PCa) pathogenesis.
• The specific mechanisms of circRNAs in PCa progression remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role and mechanism of hsa_circ_0007494 in prostate cancer.
• To explore hsa_circ_0007494 as a potential therapeutic target for PCa.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative real-time PCR to assess hsa_circ_0007494 expression in PCa tissues and cell lines.
• In vitro assays (proliferation, invasion) and in vivo tumor growth models to evaluate functional roles.
• MiRNA sponge assays and rescue experiments to elucidate the molecular mechanism involving miR-616 and PTEN.

Main Results:

• hsa_circ_0007494 expression was significantly downregulated in PCa tissues and cell lines.
• Overexpression of hsa_circ_0007494 inhibited PCa cell proliferation, invasion, and tumor growth.
• hsa_circ_0007494 acts as a molecular sponge for miR-616, upregulating its target gene PTEN.
• PTEN silencing or miR-616 mimics reversed the tumor-suppressive effects of hsa_circ_0007494.

Conclusions:

• hsa_circ_0007494 functions as a tumor suppressor in PCa by regulating the hsa_circ_0007494/miR-616/PTEN axis.
• hsa_circ_0007494 holds potential as a novel therapeutic target for prostate cancer treatment.