CircUBAP2 promotes SEMA6D expression to enhance the cisplatin resistance in osteosarcoma through sponging miR-506-3p by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

The occurrence of chemo-resistance is an essential reason for the high morbidity of osteosarcoma (OS) patients. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been involved in the regulation of chemo-resistance in cancers. Semaphorins 6D (SEMA6D) is abnormally expressed in many cancers. However, the roles of circUBAP2 and SEMA6D in the chemo-resistance of OS are still unclear. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of circUBAP2, SEMA6D and microRNA-506-3p (miR-506-3p). The cisplatin resistance and proliferation of cells were evaluated by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2 thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway biomarkers and SEMA6D. Also, the apoptosis, migration and invasion of cells were assessed by Flow cytometry and Transwell assays, respectively. Besides, Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the interaction between miR-506-3p and circUBAP2 or SEMA6D. We found that the expression levels of circUBAP2 and SEMA6D were increased in cisplatin-resistant OS tissues and cells. Knockdown of circUBAP2 inhibited the cisplatin resistance, silenced Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, hindered cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant OS cells, all of which could be reversed by overexpression of SEMA6D. MiR-506-3p could be sponged by circUBAP2 and could target SEMA6D. The suppression of miR-506-3p overexpression on the progression of OS cisplatin resistance could be reversed by SEMA6D overexpression, while miR-506-3p inhibitor also could invert the inhibitory effect of circUBAP2 silencing on the progression of OS cisplatin resistance. In conclusion, CircUBAP2 and SEMA6D played active roles in the progression of OS cisplatin resistance through miR-506-3p, which might provide some new ideas for studying the countermeasures of OS resistance.