Circular RNA circFAT1(e2) Promotes Colorectal Cancer Tumorigenesis via the miR-30e-5p/ITGA6 Axis

Abstract

circRNAs (circular RNAs) are a family of noncoding RNAs and have diverse physiological and pathological functions. However, the functions and mechanisms of circRNAs in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain largely unknown. Here, we aimed to explore the functions and roles of circFAT1(e2) in CRC. qRT-PCR revealed that circFAT1(e2) in CRC tumor tissues was upregulated compared with that in adjacent normal tissues and was also upregulated in CRC cell lines. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against circFAT1(e2) were used to decrease the expression of circFAT1(e2) in HCT116 and RKO cells in vitro. The roles of circFAT1(e2) in CRC cell metastasis and proliferation were then determined by transwell and CCK-8 assays. The results showed that circFAT1(e2) silencing markedly suppressed CRC growth. Moreover, we identified circFAT1(e2) as a promoter of CRC metastasis. Knockdown of circFAT1(e2) evidently reduced HCT116 and RKO cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, the regulatory relationship between circFAT1(e2) and its target miRNAs was verified by a luciferase reporter assay. We demonstrated that circFAT1(e2) could sponge miR-30e-5p, which regulated the expression level of integrin α6 (ITGA6), the downstream target gene of miR-30e-5p. Rescue assays demonstrated that knockdown of miR-30e-5p enhanced CRC proliferation and migration via ITGA6. Taken together, our results reveal the novel oncogenic roles of circFAT1(e2) in CRC through the miR-30e-5p/ITGA6 axis.