Circ_001569 regulates FLOT2 expression to promote the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of osteosarcoma cells through sponging miR-185-5p

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common malignant tumor in the world. Circular RNAs are endogenous non-coding RNAs that have been linked to the development of cancer. However, the role of circ_001569 in OS progression is still unclear. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of circ_001569, microRNA-185-5p (miR-185-5p) and flotillin-2 (FLOT2). The abilities of cell proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Transwell assays, respectively. Also, western blot analysis was performed to assess the levels of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins and FLOT2 protein. Besides, the dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the interactions among circ_001569, miR-185-5p and FLOT2. Circ_001569 expression was increased in OS tissues and cells, and its knockdown reduced the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of OS cells. MiR-185-5p could interact with circ_001569. Inhibition of miR-185-5p could recover the suppression effects of silenced-circ_001569 on the proliferation and metastasis of OS cells. Furthermore, FLOT2 was a target of miR-185-5p. Overexpressed FLOT2 could restore the inhibition effects of miR-185-5p mimic on the proliferation and metastasis of OS cells. Also, FLOT2 expression was regulated by circ_001569 and miR-185-5p. In addition, circ_001569 knockdown also reduced the OS tumor growth in vivo. Circ_001569 might act as an oncogene in OS progression by regulating the miR-185-5p/FLOT2 axis, which provided a reliable new approach for the treatment of OS patients.