Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

MicroRNA Detection in Prostate Tumors by Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR)
08:30

MicroRNA Detection in Prostate Tumors by Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR)

Published on: May 16, 2012

Knockdown of circFGFR2 inhibits prostate cancer cell metastasis and proliferation by targeting miR-221-5p/ SMUG1

Wei Li1, Jiqing Fan1, Ling Deng1

  • 1Department of Urology, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, The Affiliated Longhua Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518110, China.

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|July 6, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Circular RNA FGFR2 (circFGFR2) promotes prostate cancer (PC) progression by sponging miR-221-5p and upregulating SMUG1. Targeting circFGFR2 offers a potential therapeutic strategy for PC treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Prostate cancer (PC) remains a significant health concern with a need for novel therapeutic targets.
  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as key regulators in various cancers, including PC.
  • Understanding the role of specific circRNAs like circFGFR2 is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional role of circFGFR2 in prostate cancer (PC) cells.
  • To identify the molecular mechanisms underlying circFGFR2's contribution to PC progression.
  • To explore circFGFR2 as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for PC.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRTPCR) to assess circFGFR2 expression in PC tissues and cell lines.
  • In vitro assays (CCK-8, colony formation, Transwell, wound-healing) to evaluate the effects of circFGFR2 knockdown on PC cell behaviors.
  • Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assays to determine interactions between circFGFR2, miR-221-5p, and SMUG1.
  • In vivo studies using a xenograft mouse model to assess circFGFR2's impact on tumor growth.

Main Results:

  • circFGFR2 was significantly upregulated in PC tissues and cell lines.
  • circFGFR2 knockdown inhibited PC cell invasion, migration, proliferation, and viability in vitro and tumor growth in vivo.
  • circFGFR2 acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging miR-221-5p, leading to the downregulation of SMUG1.
  • Rescue experiments confirmed that circFGFR2 promotes PC progression via the miR-221-5p/SMUG1 pathway.

Conclusions:

  • circFGFR2 is a tumor-promoting circRNA in prostate cancer.
  • circFGFR2 functions by sponging miR-221-5p and consequently derepressing SMUG1 expression.
  • circFGFR2 represents a potential therapeutic target and a valuable biomarker for risk stratification and prognosis in PC.
Keywords:
SMUG1circFGFR2miR-221-5pmigrationproliferationprostate cancer

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