Circular RNA circ_ASAP2 promotes cell viability, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells by regulating the miR-770-5p/CDK6 axis.

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common causes of cancer death. GSE83521 microarray analysis suggested that circular RNA circ_ASAP2 (hsa_circ_0008768) expression was increased in GC tissues. However, the molecular mechanism of circ_ASAP2 remains unknown.

METHODS

Expression levels of circ_ASAP2, microRNA-770-5p (miR-770-5p), and the cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) were detected by using real time PCR (RT-PCR). 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and transwell assays were applied to explore cell viability, migration, and invasion, respectively. The interactions between miR-770-5p and circ_ASAP2 or CDK6 was predicted by using Starbase software, and then confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Xenograft tumor model was also used to estimate the effect of circ_ASAP2 on tumor growth .

RESULTS

The expression levels of circ_ASAP2 and CDK6 were increased, and miR-770-5p level was decreased in GC tissues and cells. Furthermore, circ_ASAP2 knockdown inhibited cell viability, migration, and invasion of GC cells. Mechanically, circ_ASAP2 functioned as a sponge of miR-770-5p to regulate CDK6 expression, thereby boosting the progression of GC cells. Circ_ASAP2 silencing hindered the tumor growth of GC .

CONCLUSION

Circ_ASAP2 knockdown can repress the development of GC cells partly through regulating the miR-770-5p/CDK6 axis, suggesting an underlying circRNA-targeted therapy for GC treatment.