CircSLC7A6 promotes the progression of Wilms’ tumor via microRNA-107/ ABL proto-oncogene 2 axis

Abstract

The dysregulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs) has been proved to be involved in the carcinogenesis of various cancers. Nevertheless, the biological function of circSLC7A6 remains unclear in Wilms’ tumor (WT). In our study, we found that circSLC7A6 was upregulated in cancerous WT tissues and cells. Cell apoptosis was increased while cell viability, migration, and invasion were repressed by circSLC7A6 silencing. Besides, circSLC7A6 knockdown suppressed WT tumor growth in vivo . miR-107 was identified as a direct target of circSLC7A6, and circSLC7A6 could negatively regulate miR-107 expression. In addition, circSLC7A6 knockdown inhibited WT progression, while the effect was partially abolished by the downregulation of miR-107. Additionally, ABL proto-oncogene 2 axis (ABL2) was verified as a downstream gene of miR-107, and circSLC7A6 could upregulate ABL2 expression by serving as a ceRNA of miR-107. Moreover, functional assays revealed that ABL2 overexpression reversed the impact of circSLC7A6 depletion on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of WT. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that circSLC7A6 facilitated WT progression by upregulating ABL2 through inhibiting miR-107 expression. These results suggested that circSLC7A6 might serve as a potential therapeutic target for WT.

circHIPK3 regulates cell proliferation and migration by sponging microRNA-124 and regulating serine/threonine kinase 3 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

“…Notably, the most common biological function of circRNAs is as a ‘molecular sponge’ for miRNA to impair the cell’s basic activity [ 6 ]. For instance, circSLC7A6 can serve as a ceRNA of miR-107 to upregulate ABL2 expression that promotes the progression of Wilms’ tumor [ 8 ]. Circ_0005320 facilitates oral squamous cell carcinoma tumorigenesis via sponging miRNA-486-3p and miRNA-637 [ 9 ].…”

Overexpression of microRNA-107 suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion, and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and induced apoptosis by targeting Nin one binding (NOB1) protein in a hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cell line (FaDu)

“…MiR-107 plays a key part in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma via regulation of multiple target genes and signaling pathways [ 12 ]. Besides, miR-107 is involved in the regulation of malignant biological behaviors in Wilms’ tumor, including apoptosis, migration and invasion [ 13 ]. The research by Xia et al reveals that miR-107 suppresses tumor development through modulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor and PI3K/Akt pathway in A549 cells [ 14 ].…”

LncRNAs and CircRNAs in cancer

“…It was upregulated in Wilms tumor and suppressed the expression of miR‐107 to increase the level of ABL2. 209 …”

“…As an oncogene, circSLC7A6 can reduce apoptosis and enhance cell viability, migration, and invasion. It was upregulated in Wilms tumor and suppressed the expression of miR‐107 to increase the level of ABL2 209 …”