Circ_0003789 Knockdown Inhibits Tumor Progression by miR-429/ZFP36L2 Axis in Gastric Cancer

An increasing number of circRNAs have been found to be involved in the development of gastric cancer. However, the function of circ_0003789 in regulating gastric cancer progression is unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the expression, function and molecular mechanism of circ_0003789 in gastric cancer pathogenesis. Circ_0003789, miR-429 and ZFP36 ring finger protein like 2 ( ZFP36L2 ) mRNA were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation was illustrated by 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (Edu), cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Protein level was detected by Western blotting assay. Xenograft assays were used for functional analysis of circ_0003789 in vivo. The relationship between miR-429 and circ_0003789 or ZFP36L2 was predicted by starbase3.0 online database and identified by dual luciferase reporter assay. The expression levels of circ_0003789 and ZFP36L2 were significantly upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cells, while the expression of miR-429 was downregulated. Downregulation of circ_0003789 inhibited gastric cancer cell growth and invasion and promoted apoptosis in vitro. Circ_0003789 acted as a sponge of miR-429. Moreover, miR-429 silencing by miR-429 inhibitors attenuated the effects of circ_0003789 interference on cell growth, apoptosis and invasion. ZFP36L2 was targeted by miR-429, and the effects of miR-429 on cell growth, invasion and apoptosis were attenuated by ZFP36L2 overexpression. Circ_0003789 could enhance ZFP36L2 expression by interacting with miR-429. Silencing of circ_0003789 inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Circ_0003789 regulates tumor progression in gastric cancer through miR-429/ZFP36L2 axis. This finding implies that circ_0003789 may be a therapeutic target for gastric cancer.