The circular RNA 0010117 promotes the aggressive behavior of glioblastoma by regulating miRNA-6779-5p/SPEN axis

Abstract Background: Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play important roles in cancer biology, providing potential targets for cancer intervention. As a new class of endogenous noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been recently identified in cell development and function, and certain types of pathological responses, to contribute to cancer progression including glioblastoma. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between circRNAs and glioblastoma progression are still largely unknow. Methods: The expression and roles of circular RNA 0010117 (circ-0010117) were examined in vitro and in vivo. Quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting were used to measure the expression of circ RNA, miRNA, each gene, or relative proteins. Cell biology experiments were performed to detect the biological function of circ-0010117 in glioblastoma cell lines. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assay, and functional complementation analysis were carried out to investigate the target gene. Tumorigenesis was also evaluated by xenografting cells into nude mice. Results: In this study, we find that circ-0010117 is down-regulated in glioblastoma compared with corresponding paratumoral tissues. Subsequently, we observe that circ-0010117 can regulate aggressiveness in glioblastoma cells through miR-6779-5p. Furthermore, SPEN is verified as a direct target of miR-6779-5p and also contributes to circ-0010117 regulatory network. In addition, we identify that overexpression of circ-0010117 can suppresses tumorigenesis in nude mice. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the circular RNA 0010117 promotes the aggressive behavior of glioblastoma by regulating miRNA-6779-5p/SPEN axis. And our results provide the rationale for the use of circ-0010117 as a novel potential therapeutic target in glioblastoma.