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Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research

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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

circGFRA1 and GFRA1 act as ceRNAs in triple negative breast cancer by regulating miR-34a

Authors: Rongfang He, Peng Liu, Xiaoming Xie, Yujuan Zhou, Qianjin Liao, Wei Xiong, Xiaoling Li, Guiyuan Li, Zhaoyang Zeng, Hailin Tang

Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Backgroud

Accumulating evidences indicate that circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, play important roles in tumorigenesis. However, the function of circRNAs in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is largely unknown.

Methods

We performed circRNA microarrays to identify circRNAs that are aberrantly expressed in TNBC cell lines. Expression levels of a significantly upregulated circRNA, circGFRA1, was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in TNBC cell lines and tissues. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to explore the significance of circGFRA1 in clinical prognosis. Then, we examined the functions of circGFRA1 in TNBC by cell proliferation, apoptosis and mouse xenograft assay. In addition, luciferase assay was used to explore the miRNA sponge function of circGFRA1 in TNBC.

Results

Microarray analysis and qRT-PCR verified a circRNA termed circGFRA1 that was upregulated in TNBC. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that upregulated circGFRA1 was correlated with poorer survival. Knockdown of circGFRA1 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis in TNBC. Via luciferase reporter assays, circGFRA1 and GFRA1 was observed to directly bind to miR-34a. Subsequent experiments showed that circGFRA1 and GFRA1 regulated the expression of each other by sponging miR-34a.

Conclusions

Taken together, we conclude that circGFRA1 may function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to regulate GFRA1 expression through sponging miR-34a to exert regulatory functions in TNBC. circGFRA1 may be a diagnostic biomarker and potential target for TNBC therapy.

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Title: circGFRA1 and GFRA1 act as ceRNAs in triple negative breast cancer by regulating miR-34a
Authors: Rongfang He
Peng Liu
Xiaoming Xie
Yujuan Zhou
Qianjin Liao
Wei Xiong
Xiaoling Li
Guiyuan Li
Zhaoyang Zeng
Hailin Tang
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1756-9966
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-017-0614-1

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