The hsa_circ_0070354/ miR ‐4322/ RAB3B Axis Facilitates the Carcinogenesis and Development of Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer ( NSCLC )

BACKGROUND: Circular RNA (hsa_circ_0070354), also known as circPTPN13, was demonstrated in our previous study that it can be used as a biomarker for diagnosing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the mechanism of its role in the occurrence and development of NSCLC has not been investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: The cell functions of NSCLC cells are evaluated by transfecting with relevant mimics, inhibitors, or plasmids in cell lines. After knocking down hsa_circ_0070354, the expression of miR-4322 increased, and RAB3B decreased, and the expression changed inversely after overexpression of hsa_circ_0070354. Mechanically, hsa_circ_0070354 acts as a ceRNA to adsorb miR-4322 and modulate Ras-Related Protein Rab-3B (RAB3B) to facilitate the proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of NSCLC cells. MiR-4322 or RAB3B inhibition restored proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells after silencing of hsa_circ_0070354. In addition, hsa_circ_0070354 knockdown suppressed tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our study reveals a promotive role of hsa_circ_0070354 in tumor proliferation, invasion, and migration by regulating the miR-4322/RAB3B axis and highlights that targeting the axis is a promising strategy for the intervention of NSCLC progression.