Circ_0000263 facilitates the proliferation and inhibits the apoptosis of cervical cancer depending on the regulation of miR-1179/ABL2 axis

Circular RNA (circRNA) has been reported to participate in the progression of cervical cancer (CC). Studies on the role and mechanism of circ_0000263 in CC are limited, and more studies are needed. The expression of circ_0000263, microRNA (miR)-1179 and ABL proto-oncogene 2 (ABL2) mRNA in tissues and cells was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. The proliferation and apoptosis of CC cells were determined using cell counting kit 8 assay, Edu assay, colony formation assay and flow cytometry. The protein expression of proliferation markers, apoptosis markers and ABL2 was detected by western blot analysis. The interaction between RNAs was estimated via dual-luciferase reporter assay. Xenograft models were applied to explore the effect of circ_0000263 knockdown on CC tumorigenesis. Circ_0000263 was highly expressed in CC tumor tissues. Silencing of circ_0000263 suppressed CC cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. Circ_0000263 served as a sponge for miR-1179, and miR-1179 inhibitor reversed the regulation of si-circ_0000263 on CC cell proliferation and apoptosis. ABL2 could be targeted by miR-1179, and circ_0000263 could sponge miR-1179 to regulate ABL2. Overexpression of ABL2 reversed the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis roles of miR-1179 in CC cells. In addition, circ_0000263 knockdown reduced CC tumor growth by miR-1179/ABL2 axis. In brief, the results demonstrated that circ_0000263 exerted an oncogene role in CC, which suggested that circ_0000263 might be a promising therapeutic target for CC. Graphical abstract