RETRACTED ARTICLE: Circular RNA circDLG1 contributes to HCC progression by regulating the miR-141-3p/WTAP axis

Abstract

This study aims to explore novel and reliable biomarkers for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) were determined by analysis of human circRNA arrays and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase reactions. To test for an interaction between circDLG1, we used luciferase reporter assays, RNA immunoprecipitation, and fluorescence in situ hybridization assays that were employed to test the interaction between circDLG1, miR-141-3p, and WTAP. q-RT-PCR and western blot were used to evaluate the target regulation of miR-141-3p and WTAP. shRNA-mediated knockdown of circDLG1, proliferation, migration, and invasion experiment of metastasis were used to evaluate the function of circDLG. CircDLG1 rather than lining DLG1 was upregulated in HCC tissues, from HCC patients as well as HCC cell lines compared to normal controls. circDLG1 high expression in HCC patients was correlated with shorter overall survival. Knockdown of circDLG1 and miR-141-3p mimic could inhibit the tumorigenesis of HCC cells in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, we demonstrated that circDLG1 could act as a sponge of miR-141-3p to regulate the expression of WTAP, and further suppress the tumorigenesis of HCC cells. Our study reveals that circDLG1 can serve as a novel potential circulating biomarker for the detection of HCC. circDLG1 participates in the progression of HCC cells by sponging miR-141-3p with WTAP, providing new insight into the treatment of HCC.

Diagnostic and Predictive Significance of Serum MiR-141-3p in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis

“…Thanks to the development of molecular biology, an increasing number of studies noticed the significance of miRNAs in human diseases. MiR-141-3p was a functional miRNA located on chromosome 12q 13.31 and has been identified as a reliable biomarker for various human malignancies, such as colon cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (Liep et al 2016;Tong et al 2021;Wang et al 2023). Additionally, miR-141-3p was also previously demonstrated to express in lung and regulate acute lung injury and lung fibroblasts (Jin et al 2018;Xia et al 2021).…”

Non-coding RNA methylation modifications in hepatocellular carcinoma: interactions and potential implications

“…For instance, circDLG1, also upregulated in HCC, exhibits correlation to a poor prognosis. circDLG1 functions as a sponge for miR-141-3p, thereby regulating the expression of WTAP and inhibiting the progression of HCC [ 131 ]. Furthermore, Chi et al constructed a regulatory network of circRNA-miRNA-m6A RNA methylation regulators and unveiled that circMAP2K4 interacts with hsa-miR-139-5p, promoting the expression of YTHDF1 and thereby facilitating HCC cell proliferation [ 132 ].…”