Hsa_circ_0011385 knockdown represses cell proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression in various cancers.
• The specific role of circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the function and mechanism of circ_0011385 in HCC development.
• To evaluate circ_0011385 as a potential biomarker for HCC diagnosis and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to measure circ_0011385, miR-361-3p, and STC2 expression in HCC tissues and cell lines.
• In vitro and in vivo functional experiments to assess the biological role of circ_0011385.
• Bioinformatics, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), dual-luciferase reporter gene assays, and ChIP assays to elucidate molecular interactions and regulatory pathways.

Main Results:

• circ_0011385 was highly expressed in HCC tissues and cell lines, correlating with tumor size, TNM stage, and poor prognosis.
• Inhibition of circ_0011385 suppressed HCC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo.
• circ_0011385 acts as a molecular sponge for miR-361-3p, regulating STC2 mRNA expression.
• SP3 was identified as the upstream regulator of circ_0011385 transcription.

Conclusions:

• circ_0011385 promotes HCC cell proliferation and tumor activity.
• circ_0011385 functions via the circ_0011385/miR-361-3p/STC2 axis.
• circ_0011385 holds potential as a novel biomarker for HCC diagnosis and therapy.