Circular RNA circRNA_0000285 promotes cervical cancer development by regulating FUS

R.-X. Chen, H.-L. Liu, L.-L. Yang, F.-H. Kang, L.-P. Xin, L.-R. Huang, Q.-F. Guo, Y.-L. Wang

Department of Gynecology, Women and Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China. xmfy_wyl@126.com

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• Oncology

OBJECTIVE: Recently, the vital role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in human diseases has attracted much attention. The aim of this research was to verify the potential role of circRNA_0000285 in the development of cervical cancer (CC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: CircRNA_0000285 expression in both CC cells and tissue samples was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Functional experiments were performed, including cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, cell cycle assay and transwell assay. Meanwhile, the underlying mechanism was explored through qRT-PCR and Western blot assay, respectively. In addition, the function of circRNA_0000285 was identified in vivo.

RESULTS: CircRNA_0000285 expression level was significantly higher in CC samples than that of corresponding normal tissues. Moreover, the growth and migration abilities of CC cells were significantly inhibited after circRNA_0000285 was knocked down in vitro. Furthermore, the expression of FUS was remarkably down-regulated after knockdown of circRNA_0000285. Subsequent results indicated that the expression level of FUS was positively correlated with the expression of circRNA_0000285 in CC tissues. In addition, the knockdown of circRNA_0000285 significantly inhibited the formation and metastasis of CC in nude mice.

CONCLUSIONS: CircRNA_0000285 could enhance the proliferation and metastasis of CC by up-regulating FUS, which might be a potential therapeutic target for CC treatment.

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