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Overexpression of circ_0001445 decelerates hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating miR-942-5p/ALX4 axis

Qinhong Xu1, Lijing Zhou1, Ganghua Yang1

  • 1Department of Geriatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277, Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.

Biotechnology Letters
|August 29, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) regulate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study shows circ_0001445 inhibits HCC progression by targeting the miR-942-5p/ALX4 pathway, offering a potential therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are crucial in human cancer development.
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health concern.
  • The specific role of circ_0001445 in HCC remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function and mechanism of circ_0001445 in hepatocellular carcinoma.
  • To elucidate the regulatory relationship between circ_0001445, miR-942-5p, and ALX4 in HCC.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR to measure circRNA and miRNA expression.
  • Cell-based assays to assess proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
  • In vivo tumor xenograft models to evaluate tumorigenesis.
  • Bioinformatic analysis and molecular experiments to confirm targeting interactions.

Main Results:

  • circ_0001445 expression was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues and cells.
  • Overexpression of circ_0001445 or inhibition of miR-942-5p suppressed HCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT, and glycolysis.
  • circ_0001445 acts as a sponge for miR-942-5p, thereby increasing ALX4 expression.
  • miR-942-5p overexpression or ALX4 knockdown reversed the inhibitory effects of circ_0001445.
  • circ_0001445 overexpression inhibited HCC tumorigenesis in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • circ_0001445 functions as a tumor suppressor in HCC by regulating the miR-942-5p/ALX4 axis.
  • circ_0001445 may serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.
Keywords:
ALX4Circ_0001445HCCMiR-942-5p

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