Circular RNA circ_0014717 Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumorigenesis Through Regulating miR-668-3p/BTG2 Axis

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• Gene Regulation

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in various biological processes, including cancer development.
• The specific functions of circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unexplored.
• Understanding circRNA involvement in HCC is crucial for identifying novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role and mechanism of circ_0014717 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• To elucidate the regulatory pathway involving circ_0014717, miR-668-3p, and BTG2 in HCC progression.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to assess circ_0014717 expression in HCC tissues and cells.
• Cellular assays to evaluate the effects of circ_0014717 overexpression on HCC cell growth, migration, and invasion.
• Bioinformatic prediction and experimental validation of interactions between circ_0014717, miR-668-3p, and B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2).
• Rescue assays to confirm the regulatory roles of the identified pathway components.

Main Results:

• Circ_0014717 expression was significantly decreased in HCC tissues and cells compared to normal controls.
• Overexpression of circ_0014717 suppressed HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
• Circ_0014717 directly targets and sponges miR-668-3p, while miR-668-3p targets BTG2.
• The circ_0014717/miR-668-3p/BTG2 axis was demonstrated to regulate HCC progression, with loss of circ_0014717 promoting HCC, an effect reversed by BTG2.

Conclusions:

• Circ_0014717 acts as a tumor suppressor in HCC by inhibiting cell growth, migration, and invasion.
• A novel regulatory pathway, circ_0014717/miR-668-3p/BTG2, is identified in HCC.
• This pathway represents a potential therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.