Circ0038632 modulates MiR-186/DNMT3A axis to promote proliferation and metastasis in osteosarcoma

Xinyu Tan; Canjun Zeng; Haomiao Li; Yeru Tan; Hongbo Zhu

doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.939994

Circ0038632 modulates MiR-186/DNMT3A axis to promote proliferation and metastasis in osteosarcoma

Front Oncol. 2022 Aug 18:12:939994. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.939994. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Xinyu Tan¹, Canjun Zeng¹, Haomiao Li¹, Yeru Tan², Hongbo Zhu²

Affiliations

¹ The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
² Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.

Abstract

Osteosarcoma is a highly malignant solid tumor with poor prognosis, early metastasis, and rapid progression and has a high mortality rate, in which better therapeutic strategies are needed. Circ0038632, also known as circPLK1, is a tumor promotor in multiple cancers. However, its biological functions and molecular regulatory mechanisms in osteosarcoma remain unclear. To ascertain the function of circ0038632 in osteosarcoma, we checked its expression in cells and in tissues and tested its abilities of proliferation and migration. Expression experiment manifested that circ0038632 showed an enhanced expression in osteosarcoma. Functional studies revealed that circ0038632 inhibition reduced cell proliferation and metastasis abilities of osteosarcoma. Mechanism studies revealed that circ0038632 sponged miR-186 to upregulate the expression of DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) to promote osteosarcoma progression. The circ0038632/miR-186/DNMT3A axis was involved in osteosarcoma progression. The results elucidated the potential application of circ0038632 as a novel diagnostic biomarker for progressive process of osteosarcoma.

Keywords: DNMT3A; circ0038632; metastasis; miR-186; osteosarcoma; proliferation.