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Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Kidney Cancer | Research

CircAGAP1 promotes tumor progression by sponging miR-15-5p in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Authors: Qi Lv, Gangmin Wang, Yinan Zhang, Aijun Shen, Junjun Tang, Yi Sun, Chunhui Ma, Peijun Wang

Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Accumulating evidence has revealed that circular RNAs (circRNAs), as novel noncoding RNAs, play critical roles in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. However, the functions and molecular mechanisms of circRNAs in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are largely unknown.

Methods

The expression and functions of circAGAP1 were identified in clinical samples, ccRCC cells and in vivo animal models. The molecular mechanism of circAGAP1 was investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays.

Results

circAGAP1 (circ0058792) expression was significantly upregulated in ccRCC tissues compared to adjacent nontumor tissues. Moreover, the expression of circAGAP1 was closely related to the tumor size, nuclear grade and clinical stage of ccRCC in patients. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that cytoplasmic circAGAP1 targeted miR-15-5p in an RNA-induced silencing complex. Additionally, miR-15-5p expression was downregulated in ccRCC. Luciferase reporter assays showed that E2F transcription factor 3 (E2F3) was a target of miR-15-5p, and upregulated E2F3 expression was positively correlated with circAGAP1 in ccRCC. Furthermore, the tumor-promoting functions of circAGAP1 could be alleviated by miR-15-5p mimics in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

Our results clarify that circAGAP1 exerts its oncogenic functions as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging miR-15-5p, which promotes E2F3 expression. Targeting circAGAP1 might be a new attractive therapeutic strategy in ccRCC.

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Title: CircAGAP1 promotes tumor progression by sponging miR-15-5p in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Qi Lv
Gangmin Wang
Yinan Zhang
Aijun Shen
Junjun Tang
Yi Sun
Chunhui Ma
Peijun Wang
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Kidney Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1756-9966
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-021-01864-3

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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