Circular GOLPH3 RNA exerts oncogenic effects in vitro by regulating the miRNA-1299/LIF axis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Bioengineered Vol. 13; no. 4; pp. 11012 - 11025
• Main Authors: Zou, Chen, Li, Xia, Wei, Haigang, Wu, Siyuan, Song, Jing, Tang, Zhe, Luo, Hailing, Lv, Xiaozhi, Ai, Yilong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 01.04.2022
• Subjects: 3' Untranslated Regions; Carcinogenesis - genetics; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - metabolism; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement - genetics; CircGOLPH3; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - genetics; Head and Neck Neoplasms - genetics; Humans; LIF; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; miR-1299; Mouth Neoplasms - metabolism; oncogenic properties; oral squamous cell carcinoma; Research Paper; RNA, Circular - genetics; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck - genetics; CircGOLPH3; LIF; oncogenic properties; oral squamous cell carcinoma; miR-1299
• ISSN: 2165-5979; 2165-5987
• DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2067288

Circular RNAs, which are a novel subclass of noncoding RNAs, are reported to be involved in various biological processes. Aberrant expression of circular RNAs may promote cancer progression. The function of circular GOLPH3 RNA (circGOLPH3) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is unclear. In this study, the circGOLPH3 levels in OSCC cell lines were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments were performed to evaluate the roles of circGOLPH3 in OSCC. Cell counting kit 8, migration, and invasion assays were performed to determine the functions of circGOLPH3. The mechanism of circGOLPH3 in OSCC was investigated using qRT-PCR, western blotting, luciferase activity, and RNA pull-down analyses. Furthermore, the function of circGOLPH3 in vivo was evaluated. circGOLPH3 derived from GOLPH3 was mainly localized to the cytoplasm and exhibited high stability. The expression of circGOLPH3 was upregulated in OSCC cells. circGOLPH3 promoted the growth of OSCC in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, circGOLPH3 upregulated OSCC cell migration and invasion. Mechanistically, circGOLPH3 functioned as a microRNA sponge and downregulated miR-1299 expression. miR-1299 downregulated the expression of LIF by targeting its 3'-untranslated region. Inhibition of the circGOLPH3/miR-1299/LIF axis suppressed the growth, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells. These findings indicate that the circGOLPH3/miR-1299/LIF axis promotes OSCC cell growth, migration, and invasion and that this axis is a potential therapeutic target for OSCC.