Hsa_Circ_0000826 inhibits the proliferation of colorectal cancer by targeting AUF1

• Published in: Journal of genetics and genomics Vol. 50; no. 3; pp. 192 - 203
• Main Authors: Zhang, Zheying, Fan, Wenyan, Gao, Qingzu, Han, Yifei, Ma, Jingyu, Gao, Wuji, Hu, Yuhan, Zhu, Huifang, Yang, Rui, Wang, Haijun, Du, Baoshun, Zhang, Zuoyang, Zhong, Jiateng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2023
• Subjects: AUF1; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation - genetics; CircRNA; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal Neoplasms - pathology; Hsa_Circ_0000826; Humans; MicroRNAs - genetics; Proliferation; RNA, Circular - genetics; Hsa_Circ_0000826; AUF1; Proliferation; CircRNA; Colorectal cancer
• ISSN: 1673-8527
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2022.07.006

Many circular RNAs (circRNAs) are reported to be abnormally expressed during the progression of various tumors, and these circRNAs can be used as anti-tumor targets. Therefore, it is important to identify circRNAs that can be used effectively for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we report that hsa_Circ_0000826 (Circ_0000826), a circRNA with significantly reduced expression level in CRC tissues, is associated with a poor prognosis in patients. The silencing of Circ_0000826 promotes the proliferation of CRC cells. Conversely, the overexpression of Circ_0000826 restricted CRC cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, Circ_0000826 could target AU-rich element RNA-binding protein 1 (AUF1). AUF1, known as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D (hnRNP D), could bind to the c-MYC 3′-UTR and promote c-MYC expression. When Circ_0000826 binds to AUF1, it competitively inhibits the binding of AUF1 to the c-MYC 3′-UTR, which inhibits the c-MYC expression and cell proliferation. These results provide novel insights into the functional mechanism of Circ_0000826 action in CRC progression and indicate its potential use as a therapeutic target in CRC.