The Hsa_circ_0091579/miR-940/TACR1 Axis Regulates the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in cancer development.
• The specific circRNA hsa_circ_0091579 (circ_0091579) is dysregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• The precise mechanism by which circ_0091579 influences HCC progression remains largely unelucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role and underlying mechanism of circ_0091579 in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• To explore the regulatory relationship between circ_0091579, microRNA-940 (miR-940), and tachykinin-1 receptor (TACR1) in HCC.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to measure gene and protein expression.
• Cellular assays (viability, migration, invasion, colony formation, cell cycle, apoptosis) were performed to assess functional impacts.
• Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed interactions between circ_0091579, miR-940, and TACR1.
• In vivo xenograft models were utilized to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of circ_0091579 knockdown.

Main Results:

• circ_0091579 expression was significantly elevated in HCC tissues and cells.
• Silencing circ_0091579 suppressed HCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation, while inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.
• circ_0091579 directly targets miR-940, and miR-940 targets TACR1, forming a regulatory axis that influences HCC development.
• Knockdown of circ_0091579 inhibited tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusions:

• circ_0091579 promotes HCC progression by regulating the miR-940/TACR1 axis.
• Downregulation of circ_0091579 exhibits anti-tumor effects in HCC.
• These findings highlight a novel pathogenic mechanism of circ_0091579 in hepatocellular carcinoma.