Abstract
Reportedly, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are crucial regulators in cancer progression. Nonetheless, the molecular mechanism of circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been fully clarified. Gene expression omnibus (GEO) database was employed to screen out the differentially expressed circRNAs in HCC. qRT-PCR and western blot were executed to detect circ_0001806 expression, miR-193a-5p expression, and MMP16 mRNA and protein expressions in HCC. The effect of circ_0001806 on HCC was analyzed by the CCK-8 method and Transwell experiment. RIP assay, pull-down experiment, and dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment were applied to validate the targeting relationships among circ_0001806, miR-193a-5p, and MMP16. Circ_0001806 was up-modulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of circ_0001806 impeded the multiplication, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Circ_0001806 could up-regulate MMP16 expression through repressing miR-193a-5p, thereby facilitating the malignant biological behaviors of HCC. Circ_0001806 promoted HCC progression by regulating miR-193a-5p/MMP16 axis.