Work

CircFAM188A Regulates Autophagy via miR ‐670‐3p and ULK1 in Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIMS: CircRNAs and autophagy are closely involved in the physiological and pathological processes of ovarian cancer; however, their exact mechanisms are still undetermined. This investigation aimed to elucidate the function and associated pathways of circFAM188A, which modulates proliferation, autophagy, and invasion in ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: The expression of circFAM188A in the tissues of EOC patients was assessed via RT-PCR. To elucidate proliferation, invasion, and autophagy in the tumor cells, Transwell, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and mRFP-GFP-LC3 reporter assays were conducted. The binding sites between circ-FAM188A and the miR-670-3p, miR-670-3p and YY1 were predicted using bioinformatics and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assays. Pulldown assays demonstrated binding between ULK1 and circ-FAM188A. ULK1 was found to be crucial in the initial stage of autophagy. Moreover, an in vivo xenograft model was established by subcutaneous injection of nude mice with EOC cells. RESULT: Expression of circ-FAM188A was increased in EOC tissues relative to normal ovarian tissues and circ-FAM188A overexpression promoted proliferation, invasion, and autophagy; these effects were reversed by circ-FAM188A silencing. miR-670-3p and circ-FAM188A co-localized in the cytoplasm. circ-FAM188A enhanced YY1 expression by sponging miR-670-3p and was also shown to interact with ULK1. CONCLUSION: It is thus suggested that circ-FAM188A modulates autophagy by sponging miR-670-3p as well as interacting with ULK1.

Source: Cancer Reports

DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.2128