Circ-ZNF609 promotes migration of colorectal cancer by inhibiting Gli1 expression via microRNA-150.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of circular (circ)-ZNF609 on the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer and its underlying mechanism.

Methods: 24 cases of postoperative colorectal cancer tissues and 36 cases of mucosa tissues were selected as experimental group and control group, respectively. Circ-ZNF609 expression in colorectal cancer tissues and mucosa tissues were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). For in vitro experiments, subcellular localization of Circ-ZNF609 in nuclear and cytoplasmic HCT116 cells was assessed. MicroRNA-150 was found to bind to Circ-ZNF609 by dual luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, migration ability of transfected HCT116 cells was assessed by Transwell assay. Additionally, mRNA and protein levels of glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) in HCT116 cells were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

Results: Higher expressions of Circ-ZNF609 and Gli1 were found in colorectal cancer tissues compared to paracancerous tissues. MicroRNA-150 was downregulated in colorectal cancer tissues. Pearson correlation analysis showed that Circ-ZNF609 was positively correlated with Gli1, and microRNA-150 was negatively correlated with Circ-ZNF609 and Gli1. Dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that microRNA-150 was bound with cytoplasmic Circ-ZNF609. Furthermore, downregulated Circ-ZNF609 inhibited migration of HCT116 cells. In addition, knockdown of Circ-ZNF609 or overexpression of microRNA-150 inhibited cell migration, which was reversed by co-transfection with microRNA-150 inhibitor and Circ-ZNF609 siRNA.

Conclusions: Circ-ZNF609 regulates Gli1 expression via microRNA-150, thus affecting the migration of colorectal cancer.