Background
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a crucial role in gene expression regulation. CircHIPK3 is a circRNA derived from Exon 2 of HIPK3 gene and its role in prostate cancer (PCa) is still unclear.
Conclusion
CircHIPK3 promotes G2/M transition and induces PCa cell proliferation by sponging miR-338-3p and increasing the expression of Cdc25B and Cdc2. CircHIPK3 may play an oncogenic role in PCa.
Methods
CCK8 assays, flow cytometry and colony formation assays were performed to assess the effects of circHIPK3 in PCa cells. Bioinformatics analysis, RNA pull-down assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay (RIP), and luciferase activity assay were performed to dissect the mechanism underlying circHIPK3-mediated G2/M transition in PCa cells.
Results
CircHIPK3 expression was upregulated in PCa cells and prostate cancer tissues. Overexpression of circHIPK3 or circHIPK3 silencing altered PCa viability, proliferation and apoptosis in vitro. CircHIPK3 could sponge miR-338-3p and inhibit its activity, resulting in increased expression of Cdc25B and Cdc2 in vitro.