CircRNA circACTN4 Promotes the Progression of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting the miR-424-5p/NCAPG/Wnt Axis.

Abstract

Growing research reveals that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a major part in the progression and development of cancer. Here, we investigated the oncogenic function and regulatory mechanisms of the circRNA circACTN4 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly in the tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In vitro functional assays (Cell Counting Kit 8, TUNEL, scratch wound healing, and invasion assays) of HCC cell lines, alongside in vivo analyses of subcutaneous tumors in nude model mice, were employed to assess the impact of circACTN4 on HCC proliferation. Interactions concerning circACTN4, microRNA (miR)-424-5p, and non-SMC condensing I complex subunit G (NCAPG) have been assessed deploying luciferase reporter assays and also quantitative reverse transcription PCR investigation of circACTN4 transcripts in HCC tissues. Findings indicated a high expression of circACTN4 in HCC, promoted proliferation, while inhibiting apoptosis of HCC cells, and correlated with poor prognosis. Mechanistically, circACTN4 served as a rival internal RNA for miR-424 5p, controlling NCAPG level and initiating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling routes, which in turn impacted the EMT machinery in HCC. According to our surveys, the circACTN4/miR-424 5p/NCAPG axis could be an intriguing candidate for therapy to address the treatment of HCC.