Profiling and bioinformatics analyses of differential circular RNA expression in prostate cancer cells

AIM: There is little knowledge about the expression profile and function of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: The expression profiles of circRNAs in RWPE-1, 22RV1 and PC3 cells were explored via high-throughput circRNAs sequencing and validated by real-time qPCR. The roles of differentially expressed circRNAs were evaluated by bioinformatics analyses. RESULTS: Altogether 9545 circRNAs were identified and hundreds of differentially expressed circRNAs were recognized. CircRNA–miRNA networks analysis showed that many circRNAs, including circSLC7A6, circGUCY1A2 and circZFP57 could cross-talk with tumor-related miRNAs such as miR-21, miR-143 and miR-200 family. CONCLUSION: The results of our bioinformatics analyses suggested that circRNAs should play critical roles in the development and progression of PCa.