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CircRNA ZFR promotes cell progression by regulating miR-96a-5p/SLC1A1 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma

  • 0CAS Key Lab of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou, 215163, China. cedric_bongolo@whu.edu.cn.
Scientific Reports +

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July 15, 2025

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July 15, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Circular RNA ZFR (circRNA ZFR) is upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Knockdown of circRNA ZFR inhibits HCC progression by targeting the miR-96a-5p/SLC1A1 pathway, offering potential therapeutic strategies.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background

  • Circular RNA ZFR (circRNA ZFR) dysregulation is implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms underlying circRNA ZFR's role in HCC remain incompletely understood.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the expression and functional role of circRNA ZFR in HCC.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanism of circRNA ZFR, including its interactions with miR-96a-5p and SLC1A1, in HCC progression.

Main Methods

  • Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization for circRNA ZFR expression analysis.
  • Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assays (colony formation, Transwell, wound healing).
  • Luciferase reporter assays, western blot, and Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification/Mass Spectrometry (CHIRP/MS) to investigate molecular interactions.

Main Results

  • CircRNA ZFR was significantly upregulated in HCC clinical samples and cells, correlating with tumor differentiation, size, and TNM stage.
  • Overexpression of circRNA ZFR promoted HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; conversely, its knockdown inhibited these processes.
  • CircRNA ZFR acts as a sponge for miR-96a-5p, and this interaction modulates SLC1A1 expression, ultimately affecting HCC progression.

Conclusions

  • CircRNA ZFR knockdown retards HCC progression by sponging miR-96a-5p and modulating SLC1A1 expression.
  • The circZFR/miR-96a-5p/SLC1A1 axis represents a potential therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Keywords:

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