Circular RNA circZCCHC6 contributes to tumorigenesis by regulating LPCAT1 via miR-433-3p in non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Circular RNA (circRNA) circZCCHC6 has been reported to be upregulated in the plasma from NSCLC patients. This study is designed to explore the role and mechanism of circZCCHC6 in NSCLC. CircZCCHC6, microRNA-433-3p (miR-433-3p), and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) level were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability, cell cycle progression, migration, and invasion were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assays, severally. The binding relationship between miR-433-3p and circZCCHC6 or LPCAT1 was predicted by Circinteractome or Starbase, and then verified by a dual-luciferase reporter, RNA pull-down, or RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Protein levels of LPCAT1, Cyclin D1, E-cadherin, and Vimentin were examined by western blot assay. The biological role of circZCCHC6 on NSCLC tumor growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was examined by the xenograft tumor model in vivo. CircZCCHC6 was highly expressed in NSCLC serum, tissues, and cells. Moreover, circZCCHC6 knockdown could repress cell viability, cell cycle progression, migration, invasion, and EMT in NSCLC cells in vitro. The mechanical analysis suggested that circZCCHC6 acted as a sponge of miR-433-3p to regulate LPCAT1 expression. CircZCCHC6 silencing hindered cell growth and EMT of NSCLC in vivo. CircZCCHC6 inhibited the progression of NSCLC cells partly by regulating the miR-433-3p/LPCAT1 axis, implying a promising therapeutic target for the NSCLC treatment.