Hsa_Circ_0000021 Sponges miR-3940-3p/KPNA2 Expression to Promote Cervical Cancer Progression

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have a vital role in the occurrence of numerous cancers. However, its function and pattern of expression in cervical cancer (CC) remain unclear. This research aims to investigate the hsa_circ_000002's regulatory mechanism in CC.

Methods: Hsa_circ_0000021, miR-3940-3p, and KPNA2 expression levels were estimated through qRT-PCR. Nuclear/cytoplasmic separation was conducted to find the subcellular location of hsa_circ_0000021. Western blot was done to estimate the levels of KPNA2 protein. CCK-8, BrdU, wound healing, transwell, and tumor xenograft assays were performed to study how hsa_circ_0000021/miR-3940-3P/KPNA2 function affect CC. Hsa_circ_0000021's targeting relationships with miR-3940-3p and KPNA2 were ascertained through RIP and luciferase experiments.

Results: Hsa_circ_0000021 and KPNA2 were overexpressed and inversely associated with the levels of miR-3940-3p in CC. Knocking down either hsa_circ_0000021 or KPNA2 repressed the growth of CC tumors as well as the proliferation, invasion, and migration of CC cells. Silencing miR-3940-3p promoted the malignant proliferation of CC cells. Regarding its mechanism, hsa_circ_0000021 affected the malignant CC cell proliferation via the sponging of miR-3940-3p, which targeted KPNA2.

Conclusion: Hsa_circ_0000021 regulates the miR-3940-3p/KPNA2 axis to promote CC occurrence. This potentially is a novel target for CC treatment.