Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2025

In Vitro Cultivation Techniques for Modeling Liver Organogenesis, Building Assembloids, and Designing Synthetic Tissues using Human Cell Lines
Published on: April 18, 2025
Circ_0006789 Promotes the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via Modulating miR-1324 and SOX12
Yu Cai1, Yuanyuan Jia1, Pu Yan1
1Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an710077, Shaanxi Province, China.
Background:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) exert an important regulatory effect on cancer progression. Reportedly, circRNAs can modulate gene expression by working as molecular sponges for miRNAs. Nonetheless, many functional circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain to be identified. This study aimed to explore the role of hsa_circ_0006789 (circ_0006789) in HCC.
Methods:
The expression profile of circRNAs in HCC tumor tissues was analyzed using circRNA microarray data. Circ_0006789 expression in HCC tissues and cell lines was examined by qPCR. After circ_0006789 was overexpressed or knocked down in HCC cell lines, HCC cell growth, migration and invasion were evaluated by the CCK-8 method and Transwell experiment. RIP assay, RNA pull-down assay, dual-luciferase reporter experiment and Western blotting were adopted to investigate the regulatory mechanism among circ_0006789, microRNA (miR)-1324 and SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 12 (SOX12).
Results:
Circ_0006789 was overexpressed in HCC tissues and cell lines. Circ_0006789 overexpression accelerated the growth, migration and invasion of HCC cells, while knockdown of circ_0006789 exerted the opposite effects. miR-1324 was confirmed as a target of circ_0006789, and miR-1324 targeted SOX12 to suppress its expression. Circ_0006789 could promote SOX12 expression by sponging miR-1324.
Conclusion:
Circ_0006789 modulates the growth, migration and invasion of HCC cells by regulating miR-1324/SOX12 axis.
Related Concept Videos
MicroRNAs
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Somatic...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Abnormal Proliferation
The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...

