Hsa_circ_0001017 inhibits proliferation and metastasis via regulating the let-7g-3p/NDST3 axis in glioma

Introduction
Glioma is one of the common types of intracranial malignancies, which seriously threatens human health. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play critical roles in various tumours. This study aims to observe the functions and mechanism of circ_0001017 in glioma progression.

Material and methods
Hsa_circ_0001017 expression was analysed in glioma tissue and cells using qRT-PCR assay. Flow cytometer, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell were used to analyse glioma cell apoptosis, viability, colony-forming ability, migration, and invasion. The expression of N-deacetylase and N-sulfotransferase 3 (NDST3) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins was measured using western blot analysis. Luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were performed to determine the target relationship.

Results
In glioma tissues and cells, hsa_circ_0001017 expression was decreased. The overexpression of hsa_circ_0001017 inhibited glioma cell proliferation, EMT, migration, and invasion and promoted glioma cell apoptosis, while the knockdown of hsa_circ_0001017 caused the opposite results. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0001017 sponged hsa-let-7g-3p and NDST3 was the target gene of hsa-let-7g-3p. Moreover, the tumour-suppressive role of circ_0001017 was associated with hsa-let-7g-3p and NDST3.

Conclusions
Hsa_circ_0001017 suppressed the growth and metastasis and increased cell apoptosis of glioma, and this effect was associated with hsa-let-7g-3p/NDST3 axis.