Circular RNA NFIX Functions as an Oncogene in Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer by Modulating the miR‐214‐3p/TRIAP1 Axis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background circRNA NFIX has been shown to exist as an oncogene in glioma. But its expression and role in NSCLC (non‐small cell lung cancer) are still unclear. This research aimed to discover the expression and function of circRNA NFIX in NSCLC. Methods In this research, qRT‐PCR was utilized to investigate the expression levels of circRNA NFIX, miRNA‐214‐3p, and TRIAP1 in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. The binding sites between circRNA NFIX/TRIAP1 and miRNA‐214‐3p were predicted using the Starbase. These interactions were further validated using a double luciferase reporter assay. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed through MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression of apoptosis‐related proteins was measured by western blot assay. Results miRNA‐214‐3p could link with circRNA NFIX. circRNA NFIX was upregulated, while miRNA‐214‐3p was downregulated in NSCLC cell lines and clinical samples. Besides, suppression of circRNA NFIX repressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells by upregulating miRNA‐214‐3p expression. Besides, the data indicated that TRIAP1 was a target of miRNA‐214‐3p, and it was negatively regulated by miRNA‐214‐3p in NSCLC cells. The excessive expression of miRNA‐214‐3p suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. In addition, overexpression of TRIAP1 significantly reversed the effects on NSCLC cells caused by miRNA‐214‐3p mimic. Conclusion circRNA NFIX silencing repressed the proliferation of NSCLC cells and induced cell apoptosis by regulating the miR‐214‐3p/TRIAP1 axis, which was a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for NSCLC.

Keywords

• circRNA NFIX
• miRNA‐214‐3p
• NSCLC
• TRIAP1