Circular RNA hsa_circ_0131242 Promotes Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression by Sponging hsa-miR-2682

Objective: CircRNAs are emerging as vital regulators in a variety of cancers. However, the expression pattern and potential mechanism of circRNAs in triple-negative breast cancer remain unclear. In this study, we aim to systematically investigate circRNAs alteration in triple-negative breast cancer tissues.

Methods: Microarray and bioinformatics analyses were used to identify circRNAs expression in cancer tissues. qRT-PCR was conducted to measure the expression of RNAs. Cell Counting Kit-8, wound-healing and transwell assays were conducted to investigate the function of circRNAs. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to validate target binding.

Results: Hsa_circ_0131242 was highly expressed in both cancer tissues and cell lines compared to control. Subsequently, statistical analyses revealed that high expression of hsa_circ_0131242 was positively correlated with advanced tumor stages and poorer clinical features in cancer patients. Hsa_circ_0131242 knockdown could suppress the progression of breast cancer cells. Bioinformatics prediction and luciferase reporter assay showed that hsa_circ_0131242 acted as a sponge for hsa-miR-2682. Moreover, co-transfection of hsa-miR-2682 inhibitor and si-hsa_circ_0131242 rescued cell proliferation and migration in BT549 and MDA-MB-468 cell lines.

Conclusion: Our study identified hsa_circ_0131242 expression in TNBC for the first time and found that hsa_circ_0131242 may promote triple-negative breast cancer progression by sponging hsa-miR-2682.