Promotes Cervical Cancer Progression via Regulating / Axis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the biological function of circular RNA (circRNA) in the cervical cancer (CC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, the GSE113696 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). GEO2R was employed to obtain differentially expressed circRNA between CC tissues and matched paracancerous tissues. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were employed to detect , microRNA-337-3p ( ) and transforming growth factor, beta receptor I () expression levels in the CC tissues and cells. Following gain-of-function and loss-of-function models establishment, CCK-8 and BrdU tests were conducted to examine cell proliferation. Transwell experiment was executed to examine CC cells migration and invasion. A lung metastasis model was utilized to determine the ability of on the lung metastasis. Bioinformatics analysis, dual-luciferase reporter experiment and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were applied to verify the targeting relationship among , , and .

RESULTS

expression in the CC tissues and cells was up-modulated. overexpression markedly enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while knocking down remarkably repressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. could be adsorbed by . was identified as a target gene of that indirectly and positively modulated by in the CC cells.

CONCLUSION

up-modulates by targeting to enhance CC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Also, is a promising therapeutic target for the CC.