CircDock6 drives metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease progression in mice and mouse hepatocytes via mmu-let-7g-5p/insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor regulation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Objective Circular RNAs belong to a category of noncoding RNAs that feature a unique continuous, covalently bonded ring configuration. Recent research indicates that circular RNAs are essential for the development of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease. This study sought to examine the functional role and molecular mechanism of circDock6 in metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease. Methods Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine circDock6 expression patterns in liver tissues from high-fat diet- and standard diet-fed mice in vivo. Triglyceride detection, western blot analysis, and oil red O staining were performed to evaluate the regulatory effect of circDock6 on metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease in vitro. Results CircDock6 was found to be markedly overexpressed in high-fat diet liver tissues compared with that in standard diet tissues. Moreover, knockdown of circDock6 expression lowered triglyceride content and lipid droplet formation. Mechanistically, circDock6 acted as a molecular sponge for mmu-let-7g-5p, which regulated insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor expression and contributed to the progression of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease. CircDock6 knockdown suppressed metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease progression by modulating insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor via mmu-let-7g-5p targeting. Conclusion Our study identified circDock6 as a novel regulator of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease pathogenesis through the mmu-let-7g-5p/insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor axis, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target for metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease intervention.
Authors: Hongpeng Lu, Xiaoyun Ding, Peifei Li
Institution: Ningbo University
Language: English
Topic: Circular RNAs in diseases
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,155
OpenAlex ID: W4413106954