Circ_0001777 Affects Triple-negative Breast Cancer Progression Through the miR-95-3p/AKAP12 Axis.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options.
• Circular RNA_0001777 (circ_0001777) expression is significantly reduced in TNBC tissues, indicating its potential role as a tumor suppressor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the molecular mechanism of circ_0001777 in TNBC.
• To investigate the regulatory relationship between circ_0001777, microRNA-95-3p (miR-95-3p), and A-kinase anchor protein 12 (AKAP12) in TNBC cells.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to assess gene and protein expression.
• In vitro cell experiments and in vivo xenotransplantation models were employed to evaluate the functional role of circ_0001777.
• Bioinformatics and Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed the interactions between circ_0001777, miR-95-3p, and AKAP12.

Main Results:

• Circ_0001777 and AKAP12 expression were downregulated, while miR-95-3p was upregulated in TNBC tissues.
• Circ_0001777 acted as a sponge for miR-95-3p, and AKAP12 was identified as a direct target of miR-95-3p.
• Overexpression of circ_0001777 inhibited TNBC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, an effect partially reversed by miR-95-3p co-transfection and exacerbated by AKAP12 knockdown.

Conclusions:

• The circ_0001777/miR-95-3p/AKAP12 axis plays a crucial role in regulating TNBC progression.
• Circ_0001777 functions as a tumor suppressor in TNBC by inhibiting proliferation, migration, and invasion through the miR-95-3p/AKAP12 pathway.
• Targeting the circ_0001777/miR-95-3p/AKAP12 axis presents a promising therapeutic strategy for TNBC.