CircPTK2 Suppresses the Progression of Gastric Cancer by Targeting miR-196a-3p/AATK Axis
Abstract BackgroundGastric cancer is a type of malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality. It has been shown that circular RNAs (circRNAs) exert critical functions in gastric cancer progression via working as microRNA (miRNA) sponges to regulate gene expression. However, the role and potential molecular mechanism of circRNAs in gastric cancer remain largely unknown.MethodsCircPTK2 (hsa_circ_0005273) was identified by bioinformatics analysis and validated by RT-qPCR assay. Bioinformatics prediction, dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull down assays were used to determine the interaction between circPTK2, miR-196a-3p, AATK.ResultsThe level of circPTK2 was markedly downregulated in gastric cancer tissues. Upregulation of circPTK2 suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, while downregulation of circPTK2 exhibited opposite effects. Mechanically, circPTK2 could competitively bind to miR-196a-3p and prevent miR-196a-3p to reduce the expression of AATK. In addition, circPTK2 overexpression inhibited tumorigenesis in a xenograft mouse model of gastric cancer.ConclusionCollectively, circPTK2 functions as a tumor suppressor to suppress gastric cancer cell proliferation through regulating miR-196a-3p/AATK axis, suggesting that circPTK2 may serve as novel therapeutic target for gastric cancer.