CircFAT1 is Overexpressed in Colorectal Cancer and Suppresses Cancer Cell Proliferation, Invasion and Migration by Increasing the Maturation of miR-10a

PURPOSE: It has been reported that circFAT1 plays opposite roles in gastric cancer and osteosarcoma. This study aimed to explore the involvement of circFAT1 in colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Paired CRC and non-tumor tissues from 64 CRC patients were subjected to RNA preparations and RT-qPCRs to determine the expression of circFAT1, premature miR-10a, and mature miR-10a. In CRC cells, the effects of circFAT1 overexpression on miR-10a maturation were analyzed by determining the expression of both premature miR-10a and mature miR-10a using RT-qPCRs. The role of circFAT1 and miR-10a in regulating the proliferation, invasion, and migration of CRC cells was analyzed by BrdU and Transwell assays, respectively. RESULTS: We found that circFAT1 was upregulated in CRC. Mature miR-10a, but not premature miR-10a, was overexpressed in CRC and positively correlated with circFAT1. CircFAT1 overexpression increased the expression of mature miR-10a, but not premature miR-10a. Overexpression of circFAT1 and miR-10a increased cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and miR-10a inhibitor suppressed cell behaviors and reversed the effects of circFAT1 overexpression. CONCLUSION: circFAT1 is overexpressed in CRC and may suppress CRC cell proliferation, invasion and migration by increasing miR-10a maturation.