circ0101675 promotes malignant process via sponging miR-1278 and upregulating WNT3A/5A in non-small cell lung cancer

J Cancer. 2021 May 17;12(14):4209-4217. doi: 10.7150/jca.57255. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) is one type of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which have many roles in biological processes, as well as modulation intracellular gene expression modulation. Nonethless, the roles along with expression status of the most circRNAs in NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) remain unknown. Herein, we conducted a high-throughput microarray sequencing to identify abnormal expressed circRNAs. Circ0101675 was found upregulated in NSCLC cell lines and tissues. We carried out colony formation, transwell, CCK-8, and animal assays to investigate the functions of circ0101675. Silence of circ0101675 inhibited the migration and proliferation of NSCLC. To elucidate the mechanism, RNA immunoprecipitation assays along with luciferase enzyme reporter assays were further employed to explore the cross-talk between circ0101675 and other molecules. We discovered that circ0101675 facilitates the malignant process of growth and migration via sponging miR-1278 and upregulating WNT3A/5A expression. In conclusion, we revelaed the vital role of circ0101675-miR-1278-WNT3A/5A signaling in NSCLC progression via the competing endogenous RNAs mechanism. Therefore, circ0101675 can be used as a new and useful biomarker for monitoring and treating NSCLC.

Keywords: WNT3A; WNT5A; circ0101675; circular RNAs; competitive endogenous RNAs; non-small cell lung cancer.