Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 28, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Role of TMOD3 in Platinum Resistance and Immune Infiltration in Ovarian Cancer
09:40

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Role of TMOD3 in Platinum Resistance and Immune Infiltration in Ovarian Cancer

Published on: August 2, 2024

2.9K

CircHIPK3 modulates VEGF through MiR-7 to affect ovarian cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis

Heling Zhou1, Jie Li, Xiaoli Lai

  • 1Department of Gynecology, Taizhou Hospital, #150 Ximen Ave, Linhai, Zhejiang 317000, China.

Journal of B.U.ON. : Official Journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology
|July 16, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Circular HIPK3 (circHIPK3) is upregulated in ovarian cancer. Inhibiting circHIPK3 suppresses tumor growth and promotes apoptosis by activating the miR-7/VEGF pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Gene Regulation

Background:

  • Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women.
  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators in various cancers, including ovarian cancer.
  • The specific role of circHIPK3 in ovarian cancer progression remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional role of circHIPK3 in ovarian cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis.
  • To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism involving the miR-7/VEGF signaling pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative RT-PCR to determine circHIPK3 expression in tissues and cells.
  • Colony-forming, EdU staining, and Western blotting assays to assess cell proliferation and apoptosis.
  • Subcutaneous tumorigenesis assay to evaluate in vivo tumor growth.
  • In vitro assays to examine the miR-7/VEGF signaling pathway.

Main Results:

  • CircHIPK3 expression was significantly higher in ovarian carcinoma tissues than in normal tissues.
  • Inhibition of circHIPK3 reduced colony formation, suppressed Bcl-2, and increased Bax expression.
  • Reduced circHIPK3 expression weakened tumor growth in vivo.
  • CircHIPK3 inhibition led to decreased miR-7 and increased VEGF expression in tumor tissues, while in vitro assays showed increased miR-7 and decreased VEGF.

Conclusions:

  • CircHIPK3 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissues.
  • Inhibiting circHIPK3 represses ovarian cancer cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis.
  • CircHIPK3 regulates ovarian cancer progression via the miR-7/VEGF pathway.

More Related Videos

Integration of Bioinformatics Approaches and Experimental Validations to Understand the Role of Notch Signaling in Ovarian Cancer09:08

Integration of Bioinformatics Approaches and Experimental Validations to Understand the Role of Notch Signaling in Ovarian Cancer

Published on: January 12, 2020

6.9K
Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis07:26

Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis

Published on: January 31, 2025

752

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.0K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
4.3K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.3K
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl...
2.9K
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.7K