Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025

A Syngeneic Orthotopic Osteosarcoma Sprague Dawley Rat Model with Amputation to Control Metastasis Rate
Published on: May 3, 2021
Doxorubicin inhibits osteosarcoma progression by regulating circ_0000006/miR-646/ BDNF axis
Abulimiti Amuti1, Dehu Liu2, Ayiguli Maimaiti1
1Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Background:
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common aggressive bone tumor in children and teenagers. Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic drug for OS. This study aims to reveal the effects and underneath mechanism of DOX treatment in OS progression.
Methods:
The expression of circular_0000006 (circ_0000006), microRNA-646 (miR-646) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). BDNF protein expression was determined by western blot. Cell proliferation was illustrated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and cell colony formation assays. Cell migration and invasion were revealed by transwell migration and wound-healing assays and transwell invasion assay, respectively. Cell apoptosis was demonstrated by flow cytometry analysis. The binding relationship of miR-646 and circ_0000006 or BDNF was predicted by circRNA interactome and targetscan online database, respectively, and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The effects of circ_0000006 knockdown on tumor growth in vivo were manifested by in vivo tumor formation assay.
Results:
Circ_0000006 expression and the mRNA and protein levels of BDNF were dramatically upregulated, and miR-646 expression was effectively downregulated in OS tissues or cells compared with control groups. Circ_0000006 expression and BDNF protein expression were lower, and miR-646 expression was higher in DOX treatment groups than in control groups in OS cells. Circ_0000006 knockdown repressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion, whereas promoted cell apoptosis under DOX treatment in OS cells; however, these effects were attenuated by miR-646 inhibitor. Additionally, circ_0000006 sponged miR-646 to bind to BDNF. Circ_0000006 silencing suppressed tumor growth in vivo.
Conclusion:
Circ_0000006 knockdown promoted DOX-mediated effects on OS development by miR-646/BDNF pathway, which provided a theoretical basis in treating OS with DOX.
Insights
This study reveals that targeting circular RNA (circ_0000006) enhances doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy effectiveness in osteosarcoma (OS). Knocking down circ_0000006 boosts DOX
Area of Science:
- Molecular oncology
- Cancer biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Osteosarcoma (OS) is a prevalent and aggressive bone tumor in pediatric and adolescent populations.
- Doxorubicin (DOX) is a cornerstone chemotherapeutic agent used in OS treatment.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying DOX efficacy is crucial for improving OS therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of circular RNA (circ_0000006) in osteosarcoma (OS) progression.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanism of doxorubicin (DOX) treatment in OS.
- To explore the potential of targeting circ_0000006 to enhance DOX chemotherapy in OS.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to measure gene and protein expression.
- Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis assays were performed to assess cellular functions.
- Dual-luciferase reporter assays and bioinformatics tools were employed to determine molecular interactions.
Main Results:
- Circ_0000006 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were upregulated, while microRNA-646 (miR-646) was downregulated in OS tissues.
- DOX treatment decreased circ_0000006 and BDNF expression but increased miR-646 expression in OS cells.
- Knockdown of circ_0000006 enhanced DOX effects by inhibiting proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoting apoptosis, via the miR-646/BDNF pathway.
Conclusions:
- Circ_0000006 knockdown potentiates doxorubicin (DOX)-induced anti-tumor effects in osteosarcoma (OS) through the miR-646/BDNF axis.
- This study provides a theoretical foundation for utilizing circ_0000006 as a therapeutic target to improve DOX treatment outcomes in OS.
Related Concept Videos
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity

