Work

Circular RNA circCD44 targets methyltransferase‐like 3 /homeobox containing 1 to facilitate esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a prevalent gastrointestinal malignancy with unclear functional mechanisms of circular RNAs. This study focused on investigating the role of circCD44 in ESCC progression. The expression of circCD44 and homeobox containing 1 (HMBOX1) was found to be elevated in ESCC cell lines. The overexpression of circCD44 or HMBOX1 enhanced proliferation and invasion, while inhibiting apoptosis in ESCC cells, whereas knockdown of these genes had inverse effects. METTL3 was observed to bind to circCD44 and HMBOX1 mRNA, promoting m6A modification in HMBOX1 mRNA and subsequent HMBOX1 protein expression. Knockdown of METTL3 or HMBOX1 attenuated the oncogenic effects of circCD44 overexpression both in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that circCD44 promotes ESCC progression by facilitating HMBOX1 mRNA m6A modification and protein expression through METTL3 binding, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying ESCC pathogenesis.

Source: The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences

DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12950

Authors: Wei‐Wen Zou, Yan‐Fang Liao, Xi‐Rui Huang, Wen‐Song Lin, Shan‐Ming Lu

Institution: Longgang Central Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Circular RNAs in diseases

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,200