Hsa_circ_0000520 overexpression increases CDK2 expression via miR-1296 to facilitate cervical cancer cell proliferation

BACKGROUND: Circular RNA (circRNA) has been demonstrated to participate in cervical cancer development. In this study, we analyzed the role of hsa_circ_0000520 in cervical cancer. METHODS: Fifty-two pairs of cervical cancer and adjacent normal tissue samples were collected, and five human cervical cancer cell lines were obtained followed by the detection of hsa_circ_0000520 expression. Nuclear-cytoplasmic isolation and fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed to analyze the subcellular localization of hsa_circ_0000520 while linear RNA was digested by RNase R. Gain- or loss-of function experiments on hsa_circ_0000520 were performed, followed by detection of cell proliferation and cell cycle by EdU, Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry respectively. RESULTS: Hsa_circ_0000520 and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) were highly expressed in cervical cancer tissues. Binding sites between microRNA-1296 (miR-1296) and hsa_circ_0000520 or CDK2 were verified. Antibody to Argonaute 2 (Ago2) could precipitate hsa_circ_0000520, indicating that hsa_circ_0000520 could competitively bind to miR-1296 via Ago2. Silencing hsa_circ_0000520 inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation and promoted the inhibitory effects of miR-1296 on CDK2, thereby blocking cell cycle progression and promoting apoptosis. CONCLUSION: These results support the premise that targeting hsa_circ_0000520 can be a potential approach to combat cervical cancer. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-02953-9.