Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) represents a head and neck cancer caused by cancerization of nasal epithelial cells. HOXA10 has been identified to promote proliferation and invasion of NPC cells, but its regulatory mechanism has not been well discussed. Published research work has also pointed out that circular RNAs (circRNAs) could regulate mRNAs to affect NPC tumorigenesis and development.
Aim: To explore the roles of HOXA10 and its specific regulatory mechanism regarding circRNAs in NPC.
Methods: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot were applied to test gene expression. Functional assays were used to evaluate changes in NPC cell phenotypes. Mechanism assays were done to verify RNA-RNA or RNA-protein interaction.
Results: HOXA10 was highly expressed in NPC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, HOXA10 knockdown could restrict NPC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CircKIAA0368 was upregulated in NPC cells and could elevate HOXA10 expression by sponging miR-6838-5p. Furthermore, circKIAA0368 was unveiled to competitively bind to p300/CREB-binding protein-associated factor (PCAF) to repress acetylation and degradation of HOXA10 protein.
Conclusion: CircKIAA0368 upregulates HOXA10 expression via miR-6838-5p and PCAF, consequently promoting NPCcell and tumor growth.
Keywords: HOXA10; PCAF; circKIAA0368; miR-6838-5p; nasopharyngeal carcinoma.