<p><em>Circ_0002232</em> Acts as a Potential Biomarker for AML and Reveals a Potential ceRNA Network of <em>Circ_0002232</em>/<em>miR-92a-3p</em>/<em>PTEN</em></p>
Xiaoyu Su, Qian Zhao, Jin-ming Ke, Dehong Wu, Xin Zhu, Jiang Lin, Zhao-Qun Deng
Abstract
Purpose: Our research aimed to investigate the expression level of circ _ 0002232 , which is transcribed from PTEN , and find out the association of circ_0002232 / miR-92a-3p / PTEN network in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: Circ_0002232 expression in 115 AML patients and 48 controls was detected by using real-time quantitative PCR. The diagnostic value of circ_0002232 expression was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to analyse the impact of circ_0002232 for overall survival. Associated network of circ_0002232 was predicted by using interaction prediction websites. Results: Compared with controls, circ_0002232 was notably low-expressed in AML ( P < 0.001). According to the result of receiver operating characteristic curve, circ_0002232 expression could distinguish AML patients from controls ( P < 0.001). There were significant differences in patients’ age ( P =0.004), FAB classifications ( P =0.036), white blood cell count ( P =0.041) and platelet count ( P =0.021) between low-expressed circ_0002232 group and high-expressed circ_0002232 group. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between circ_0002232 expression and patients’ age (Pearson r=0.256, P =0.0057). Interestingly, we found that patients in low-expressed circ_0002232 group had better overall survival both in whole AML ( P =0.030) and non-APL AML ( P =0.014). Remarkably, the expression of circ_0002232 was positively correlated with PTEN (Spearman r=0.678, P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a negative correlation in AML between circ_0002232 and miR-92a-3p (Spearman r=− 0.301, P =0.016), miR-92a-3p and PTEN (Spearman r=− 0.324, P=0.034). Interaction prediction websites revealed that circ_0002232 might affect the expression of PTEN and the process of AML through sponging miR-92a-3p . Conclusion: Circ_0002232 , one of the circRNAs transcribed from PTEN , was remarkably down-regulated in AML and could act as a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of AML. In addition, there might be a potential association network of circ_0002232/miR-92a-3p/PTEN in AML. Keywords: circular RNAs, circ_0002232 , miR-92a-3p , PTEN , acute myeloid leukemia