Circular RNA hsa_circRNA_101996 modulates gastric cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis through the miR-577/HMGN5 axis.

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are critical regulators in tumorigenesis, functioning as microRNA sponges or protein decoys. Although numerous circRNAs have been implicated in gastric cancer progression, the role of hsa_circRNA_101996 remains unclear. This study hypothesizes that hsa_circRNA_101996 promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis the microRNA-577 (miR-577)/high mobility group nucleosome binding domain 5 (HMGN5) axis.

AIM

To investigate the role of hsa_circRNA_101996 in gastric cancer proliferation and apoptosis through the miR-577/HMGN5 axis.

METHODS

Forty-one paired gastric cancer tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues were analyzed. Differential circRNA expression was identified using GSE83521 and GSE89143 datasets. miR-577 and HMGN5 were predicted CircInteractome and TargetScan. Functional experiments (MTT, colony formation, Western blot) and dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed in gastric cancer cell lines (OCUM-1, HSC-39). tumorigenesis was validated in nude mice. Statistical analysis included Student's -test and one-way ANOVA ( < 0.05).

RESULTS

Hsa_circRNA_101996 was significantly upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues ( < 0.05). Dual-luciferase reporter assays validated the interactions among hsa_circRNA_101996, miR-577, and HMGN5. , gastric cancer cells overexpressing hsa_circRNA_101996 showed significantly increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis compared to controls ( < 0.05). Cells transfected with miR-577 mimics exhibited reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis ( < 0.05). Co-transfection with hsa_circRNA_101996 or HMGN5 reversed the effects of miR-577 mimics. , hsa_circRNA_101996-overexpressing tumors showed increased volume and HMGN5 expression ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hsa_circRNA_101996 promotes gastric cancer progression by sponging miR-577 to upregulate HMGN5, suggesting a novel therapeutic target for gastric cancer.