CircERBB3 Targets miR-194-5p/PRMT3 to Promote Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression

The role of circular RNAs in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. This study explored the oncogenic properties of circERBB3 in HCC and the underlying molecular mechanisms. After transfection, cell behaviors including proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis were measured by performing Cell Counting Kit-8, transwell, scratch, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Luciferase reporter genes were employed to analyze the interaction of miR-194-5p with circERBB3 or PRMT3. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect circERBB3, miR-194-5p, and PRMT3 mRNA and western blotting was used for PRMT3 protein detection. CircERBB3 and PRMT3 were upregulated in HCC cell lines, while miR-194-5p was expressed at low levels. CircERBB3 knockdown, PRMT3 knockdown, or miR-194-5p overexpression suppressed proliferation, invasion, and migration and accelerated apoptosis in HCC cells. CircERBB3 targeted miR-194-5p and negatively regulated its expression. miR-194-5p targeted PRMT3 and inhibited its expression. miR-194-5p inhibition or PRMT3 overexpression stimulated the malignant behaviors of HCC cells underexpressing circERBB3. In conclusion, circERBB3 targeted miR-194-5p to promote PRMT3 expression, thereby promoting HCC cell malignancy.