CircDock6 promotes NAFLD by regulating IGF1R through targeting mmu-let-7 g-5p

Abstract Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel kind of noncoding RNA with a closed ring structure. An increasing number of studies have shown that it plays an important role in NAFLD. In this study, we used circDock6 to explore its role and molecular mechanism in the progression of NAFLD. qRT‒PCR was used to detect the circDock6 expression level in SD liver tissues and HFD tissues. The regulatory effects of circDock6 in NAFLD were evaluated by Oil Red “O” staining, triglyceride detection, and western blot (WB) analysis. CircDock6 was significantly upregulated in HFD liver tissues compared to SD tissues. Additionally, Oil Red “O” staining and triglyceride detection revealed that decreased expression levels of circDock6 inhibited lipid droplet formation and reduced triglyceride content. CircDock6 acts as a mmu-let-7 g-5p sponge to promote the progression of NAFLD by regulating IGF1R. Our data demonstrated that circDock6 was expressed at high levels in HFD tissues. Knockdown of circDock6 expression inhibited NAFLD progression by regulating IGF1R through targeting mmu-let-7 g-5p.