BackgroundCircular RNA-BTG3 associated nuclear protein (circ-BANP) was identifified to involve in cell proliferation of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aerobic glycolysis is a key metabolism mediating cancer progression. However, the role of circ-BANP on aerobic glycolysis in CRC remains unknown. MethodsThe expression of circ-BANP, microRNA (miR)-874-3p, and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) mNRA was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability and invasion were measured by cell counting kit-8 assay or transwell assay. Glucose consumption and lactate production were assessed by a glucose and lactate assay kit. XF Extracellular Flux Analyzer was used to determine extracellular acidifification rate (ECAR). Western blot was used to analyze the levels of hexokinase-2 (HK2), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), MAPK1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cyclin D1, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), glucose transport protein 1(GLUT1), and c-Myc. The interaction between miR-874-3p and circ-BANP or MAPK1 was confifirmed by dual luciferase reporter assay. In vivo experiments were conducted through the murine xenograft model. ResultsCirc-BANP was up-regulated in CRC tissues and cell lines. Circ-BANP knockdown suppressed CRC cell proliferation, invasion and aerobic glycolysis in vitro as well as inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Circ-BANP was a sponge of miR-874-3p and performed anti-tumor effffects by binding to miR-874-3p in CRC cells. Subsequently, we confifirmed MAPK1 was a target of miR-874-3p and circ-BANP indirectly regulated MAPK1 expression by sponging miR-874-3p. After that, we found MAPK1 overexpression partially reversed circ-BANP deletion-mediated inhibition on cell carcinogenesis and aerobic glycolysis in CRC. ConclusionCirc-BANP accelerated cell carcinogenesis and aerobic glycolysis by regulating MAPK1 through miR- 874-3p in CRC, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy for CRC treatment.