<i>hsa_circ_0000523/miR‑let‑7b/METTL3</i> axis regulates proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis in the HCT116 human colorectal cancer cell line
Yansheng Wang, Baolei Zhang, Yun Zhu, Yong Zhang, Li Li, Tao Shen, Hao Liu, Yirong Teng
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs/circs) have gained attention as a class of potential biomarkers for the early detection of multiple cancers. However, the functions and mechanisms of circRNAs in the oncogenesis of human colorectal cancer (CRC) remain to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the roles of <em>hsa_circ_0000523</em> and its parental gene methyltransferase‑like 3 (<em>METTL3</em>) in regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion in the HCT116 human CRC cell line. To uncover the regulated function of <em>hsa_circ_0000523</em> in HCT116 cells, a dual‑luciferase reporter assay, flow cytometry, reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR, Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay, cell invasion and western blot assay were used. In HCT116 cells, <em>hsa_circ_0000523</em> indirectly regulated <em>METTL3</em> expression by suppressing the transcription of microRNA <em>(miR)‑let‑7b</em>. The expression of <em>METTL3</em> promoted cell proliferation and suppressed apoptosis. In the present study, it was found that <em>miR‑let‑7b</em> promoted cell viability and inhibited apoptosis and invasion, while <em>circ_0000523</em> exerted the opposite effects. Higher levels of <em>METTL3</em> expression were associated with more aggressive tumor invasion. The present results suggest that circRNAs and <em>METTL3</em> may be applied for highly sensitive diagnosis of CRC and for predicting prognosis in patients who have undergone therapy.