CircRNF121 facilitates ovarian cancer progression through modulating microRNA-153/IGF2BP2/B3GNT6 axis

Background: Increasing studies have evidenced that circular RNAs (circRNAs), a new class of non-coding RNAs, exert a vital role in controlling the progression of multiple human cancers. Methods The functional roles of circRNF121 in the initiation and progression of ovarian cancer (OC) warrant further investigation. In our study, RT-qPCR was utilized to determine the expression of circRNF121 in OC cancerous tissues and cells. Also, CCK-8 analysis was performed to detect the viability of CaSki and MS751 cells. The effects of circRNF121 on OC cells were explored using in vitro migration assay and in vivo subcutaneous xenograft tumor model. RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to determine the expression of a panel of genes relative to the EMT process. Luciferase reporter assay were conducted to confirm the specific interaction between circRNF121 and miRNA-153 or between miRNA-153 and IGF2BP2. RNA-Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay confirmed the binding efficacy of IGF2BP2 and B3GNT6. Results In our study, we firstly demonstrated circRNF121 was upregulated in OC cancerous tissues and cells, and the expression of circRNF121 was negatively correlated with patient’s survival. Functionally, circRNF121 can function as an oncogene to promote OC progression both in vitro and in vivo . Mechanistically, circRNF121 worked as a sponge for miRNA-153 to regulate IGF2BP2 expression. Besides, RIP and qPCR analysis suggested that IGF2BP2 can promote B3GNT6 expression to drive OC progression. Conclusions CircRNF121 promotes OC progression through modulating the miR-153/ IGF2BP2/B3GNT6 axis, thereby providing a promising therapeutic target for OC treatment. Mini-abstract: CircRNF121 promotes OC progression through modulating the miR-153/ IGF2BP2/B3GNT6 axis.