Circ_0074027 binds to EIF4A3 and promotes gastric cancer progression

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to play an important role in the progression of numerous types of human cancer. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of circRNA_0074027 (circ_0074027) in gastric cancer (GC), and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action. For this purpose, the expression of circ_0074027 in GC cell lines was detected using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The effects of circ_0074027 on the proliferation and migration of GC cells were investigated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays, respectively. The Circular RNA Interactome was used to predict that eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A3 (EIF4A3) could bind to circ_0074027, which was confirmed using an RNA immunoprecipitation assay. The expression and function of EIF4A3 in GC cells were also determined using western blot analysis, as well as CCK-8, colony formation, wound-healing and Transwell assays. The results revealed that circ_0074027 was highly expressed in GC cell lines in the form of a closed loop. In addition, circ_0074027-knockdown inhibited cellular proliferation and motility. Furthermore, EIF4A3 was predicted to be targeted by circ_0074027 and a positive association was identified between them. The overexpression of EIF4A3 reversed the effects of circ_0074027 on the proliferation and motility of GC cells. In conclusion, the findings of the present study demonstrated that circ_0074027 bound to EIF4A3 and promoted the proliferation and migration capacities of GC cells.