CircRAB3IP upregulates twist family BHLH transcription factor (TWIST1) to promote osteosarcoma progression by sponging miR-580-3p

Circular RNAs (circ RNAs) have been found to play an important role in cancer development. However, the role of circRAB3IP in osteosarcoma (OS) is unclear. In the present study, We found that circRAB3IP was highly expressed in OS tissues and OS cells. High levels of circRAB3IP was correlated with advanced TNM stage, distant metastasis. CircRAB3IP knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, circRAB3IP directly binds to miR-580-3p. TWIST1 is directly targeted by miR-580-3p. We also demonstrated that circRAB3IP act as the sponge of miR-580-3p to promote TWIST1 expression. CircRAB3IP promotes OS cells proliferation, migration, and invasion through modulating miR-580-3p/TWIST1 axis. Moreover, circRAB3IP facilitated tumor formation in vivo. Our findings suggested that circRAB3IP acts as an oncogene in OS by regulating miR-580-3p/TWIST1 axis.