CircSND1/miR-182-5p Axis Promotes Proliferative and Invasive Abilities of Thyroid Cancer via Binding Targeting MET

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• Gene Regulation

Background:

• Thyroid cancer (TC) is a significant health concern.
• The role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cancer progression is an emerging area of research.
• Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying TC tumorigenesis and metastasis is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of circSND1 on thyroid cancer tissues and cells.
• To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of circSND1 in thyroid cancer.
• To explore the potential of targeting circSND1 for thyroid cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

• Cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assays.
• DNA synthesis was measured by BrdU incorporation and flow cytometry.
• Cell invasion was evaluated using Transwell assays.
• Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed to determine mRNA levels of circSND1, miR-182-5p, and MET.
• Luciferase reporter assays were utilized to confirm the targeting interactions between circSND1, miR-182-5p, and MET.

Main Results:

• CircSND1 and MET mRNA levels were elevated in thyroid cancer tissues, while miR-182-5p levels were decreased.
• Downregulation of circSND1 significantly suppressed thyroid cancer progression both in vitro and in vivo.
• Luciferase assays confirmed that circSND1 directly targets miR-182-5p, and miR-182-5p directly targets MET.
• CircSND1 was found to regulate MET expression and thyroid cancer cell functions by interacting with miR-182-5p.

Conclusions:

• Overexpression of circSND1 in thyroid cancer tissues and cells promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis.
• This oncogenic effect is mediated by the suppression of miR-182-5p and the subsequent upregulation of MET.
• These findings suggest that circSND1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for thyroid cancer management.