Circ_0001023 Promotes Proliferation and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Cells Through miR-409-3p/PHF10 Axis

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been well documented to regulate the gene expression via sponging microRNA (miRNA) in diverse neoplasms including gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: In the present study, the expressions of circ_0001023, miR-409-3p, and plant homeodomain finger 10 (PHF10) in GC tissues were detected by qRT-PCR. Chi-square test was performed to analyze the associations between circ_0001023 and pathological parameters. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assay were adopted to detect the role of circ_0001023/miR-409-3p axis in the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of GC cells, respectively. The targeting relationship between circ_0001023 and miR-409-3p was investigated by dual-luciferase gene reporter gene assay. Additionally, subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model in nude mice was established to detect the function of circ_0001023 on GC growth in vivo. RESULTS: Compared with adjacent tissues, the expression of circ_0001023 was significantly upregulated and correlated with lymph node invasion and higher T stage of GC patients. It has also been proved that circ_0001023 could target miR-409-3p. Silencing circ_0001023 can impede the proliferation of GC cells and promote apoptosis, while miR-409-3p inhibitors can partially reverse the biological behavior of GC cells mentioned above. Moreover, the expression of circ_0001023 was reversely associated with miR-409-3p expression but positively correlated with PHF10, a downstream oncogene of miR-409-3p. CONCLUSION: Collectively, it is concluded that circ_0001023 promotes the progression of GC via regulating miR-409-3p/PHF10 axis.