Silencing circRNA_001937 may inhibit cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma proliferation and induce apoptosis by preventing the sponging of the miRNA‑597‑3p/FOSL2 pathway

Abstract

circular RNAs (circRNAs) are reported to be aberrantly expressed and perform different functions in numerous types of tumor; however, their expression levels in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cScc) remain largely unclear. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the function of circRNA_001937 in cScc. differential circRNA expression profiles of CSCC were analyzed using the Arraystar Human circRNAs chip and reverse transcription-quantitative PcR (RT-qPcR); and the effects of circRNA_001937 on cell behavior, in particular its regulation over the microRNA (miRNA)-597-3p/Fos-related antigen 2 (FOSL2) pathway, was investigated using a dual-luciferase reporter assay, and verified using RT-qPCR and western blotting. circRNA_001937 expression levels were significantly increased in CSCC tissues and cell lines compared with the corresponding adjacent tissues and control cells (P<0.05). The genetic silencing of circRNA_001937 with small interfering RNA significantly inhibited cell proliferation, and induced cell apoptosis (P<0.05). circRNA_001937 was observed to directly bind to miRNA-597-3p and serve as a sponge, which indirectly increased the expression levels of FOSL2, a miRNA-597-3p target gene. In conclusion, circRNA_001937 expression was increased in cScc and silencing circRNA_001937 gene expression may inhibit cScc progression by sponging the miRNA-597-3p/FOSL2 pathway.

Emerging functions of circular RNA in the regulation of adipocyte metabolism and obesity

“…circRNAs are a class of covalently enclosed endogenous biomolecules that were first discovered in 1976 [ 20 ]. circRNAs play important roles in the growth or development of tissues and organs, as they are involved in cell cycle regulation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis in different tissues or organs [ 21 – 25 ]. In the past few years, the biosynthesis and molecular functions of circRNAs have been extensively explored and verified.…”

Exosomal Circular RNA RNA-seq Profiling and the Carcinogenic Role of Exosomal circ-CYP24A1 in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…Several aberrantly expressed circRNAs have been reported. Circ-001937 is highly expressed in cSCC tissues ( 21 ). Its knockdown restrains proliferation as well as induces apoptosis through miRNA-597-3p/FOSL2 axis in cSCC ( 21 ).…”

“…Circ-001937 is highly expressed in cSCC tissues ( 21 ). Its knockdown restrains proliferation as well as induces apoptosis through miRNA-597-3p/FOSL2 axis in cSCC ( 21 ). Circ-0070934 may facilitate proliferative and invasive capacities of cSCC cells through sponging miR-1238 and miR-1247-5p ( 22 ).…”

Ganoderma lucidum Spore Polysaccharide Inhibits the Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Altering Macrophage Polarity and Induction of Apoptosis

“…The primary characteristics of tumors are malignant proliferation and imbalance between cell proliferation and apoptosis [ 23 ]. Inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis are excellent strategies for tumor treatment [ 24 ].…”