CircPTPRM accelerates malignancy of papillary thyroid cancer via miR‐885‐5p/DNMT3A axis

Abstract

Background Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are implicated in carcinogenesis, including papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Despite of previous reports regarding the high expression of circPTPRM in PTC, the role and regulatory mechanism remain to be investigated. Methods CircPTPRM and miR‐885‐5p expression were examined, and the effects on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were also measured. Immunoblotting was performed to evaluate DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐associated proteins. Results CircPTPRM was overexpressed in PTC tissues and cell lines, which predicted poor prognosis. CircPTPRM inhibition significantly alleviated the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities. It was subsequently confirmed that circPTPRM competed with miR‐885‐5p for DNMT3A binding. CircPTPRM promoted PTC progression via miR‐885‐5p/DNMT3A signal axis. Conclusion Our data elucidated that circPTPRM may play an oncogenic role in PTC through circPTPRM/miR‐885‐5p/DNMT3A axis

Emerging roles of circular RNAs in regulating the hallmarks of thyroid cancer

“…Additionally, certain circRNAs can indirectly regulate DNA methylation or nuclear ribonucleoprotein, thereby promoting TC through non-mutational epigenetic reprogramming. For instance, hsa_circ_0061406 and hsa_circ_0007144 can respectively regulate the expression of HNRNPA1 and DNMT3A gene [ 104 , 105 ]. Further research is needed to explore the potential roles of circRNA modifications in thyroid cancers and understand their contributions to epigenetic reprogramming.…”