circHIPK3 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Migration of Gastric Cancer by Sponging miR-107 and Regulating BDNF Expression

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important regulatory roles in cancer development. However, the mechanisms by which circRNAs regulate gene expression in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. METHODS: Human GC samples and their matched normal adjacent tissues were obtained from 30 patients to assess the expression of circHIPK3 and its relationship with GC proliferation and migration. A series of in vitro and in vivo functional experiments were carried out to elucidate the role of circHIPK3 in GC proliferation and migration, and its underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: Using a circRNA microarray we found a circRNA termed circHIPK3 that performed a significant regulatory role in GC. circHIPK3 was further confirmed to be upregulated in all GC tissues and cells tested. Furthermore, circHIPK3 levels were associated with Tumor & Lymph Node & Metastasis(TNM) stage (P = 0.032). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was 0.743 (95% confidence interval 0.615–0.872; P = 0.001). CCK-8, colony formation, Transwell and EdU assays were performed to evaluate the effects of circHIPK3 on cell proliferation and migration in GC. Moreover, circHIPK3 was identified as a sponge of miR-107, and as such it regulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays a pivotal role in the development of GC. CONCLUSION: circHIPK3 represents a novel potential biomarker and therapeutic target of GC.