A novel intronic circular RNA circFGFR1(int2) up-regulates FGFR1 by recruiting transcriptional activators P65/FUS and suppressing miR-4687-5p to promote prostate cancer progression

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is a core component of the FGFs/FGFR pathway that activates multiple signalling pathways, including ERK1/2, PI3K/AKT, PLCγ, and NF-κB. Aberrant expression of FGFR1 due to gene amplification, chromosome rearrangement, point mutation, and epigenetic deregulations, have been reported in various cancers. FGFR1 overexpression has also been reported in prostate cancer (PCa), but the underlining mechanisms are not clear. Here we report a novel circular RNA, circFGFR1(int2), derived from intron 2 of FGFR1 gene, which is overexpressed in PCa and associated with tumor progression. Importantly, we show that circFGFR1(int2) facilitates FGFR1 transcription by recruiting transcription activators P65/FUS and by interacting with FGFR1 promoter. Moreover, we show that circFGFR1(int2) suppresses post-transcriptional inhibitory effects of miR-4687-5p on FGFR1 mRNA. These mechanisms synergistically promote PCa cell growth, migration, and invasion. Overexpression of circFGFR1(int2) is significantly correlated with higher tumor grade, Gleason score, and PSA level, and is a significant unfavorable prognosticator for CRPC-free survival (CFS) (RR = 3.277, 95% confidence interval: 1.192–9.009; P = 0.021). These findings unravelled novel mechanisms controlling FGFR1 gene expression by intronic circRNA and its potential clinicopathological utility as a diagnostic or therapeutic target. GRAPHIC ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-023-04718-y.