Silencing circUSP48 suppresses osteosarcoma progression by regulating the miR‐335/ smad nuclear interacting protein 1 pathway

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) can have a critical function in the multi‐processes of osteosarcoma (OS). Nevertheless, whether circUSP48 is involved in OS progression remains unclear. METHODS: In the current work, the expression of circUSP48, miR‐335 and SNIP1 in OS cell lines and tissues were evaluated using qRT‐PCR. Then, Sanger sequencing, RNase R treatment and FISH assay were performed for circUSP48 validation. Furthermore, the function and potential mechanisms of circUSP48 in OS were investigated by performing loss‐of‐function experiments. RESULTS: Silencing circUSP48 could suppress proliferation, invasion as well as migration of OS cells in vitro, also inhibiting the growth of tumor in vivo. Importantly, circUSP48 promoted OS malignancy by sponging miR‐335 to upregulate SNIP1. CONCLUSION: Overall, these findings suggested that circUSP48 acted as an oncogene in OS, which might become a new target for OS therapy.