Circular RNA Circ_0001017 Acts as ceRNA Adsorbing miR-197-3p to Regulate PNLIP Signaling and Affect the Proliferation, Apoptosis and Glycolysis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells

Abstract

To investigate the effects of circ_0001017 as a molecular sponge adsorbing miR-197-3p to regulate PNLIP signaling on the proliferation, apoptosis and glycolysis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells, the expressions of circ_0001017, miR-197-3p and PNLIP in PDAC tissues and cells were detected. The dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation assay were used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-197-3p and circ_0001017 or PNLIP. The expressions of circ_0001017/miR-197-3p/PNLIP in cells were interfered and they were grouped. The proliferation activity and apoptosis of the cells were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Glucose, lactate, and ATP detection kits were used to assess glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels. Compared with paracancerous tissues, miR-197-3p expression in PDAC tissues was significantly up-regulated, while circ_0001017 and PNLIP expressions were decreased (all P<0.05). Compared with negative control group, cell proliferation and glycolysis were inhibited, and apoptosis was induced after circ_0001017 overexpression (P<0.05). Circ_0001017 knockdown promoted PDAC cell proliferation and aerobic glycolysis, and inhibited cell apoptosis, which was partially rescued by miR-197-3p inhibitor and PNLIP knockdown (all P<0.05). miR-197-3p overexpression could promote proliferation and glycolysis of PDAC cells and inhibit cell apoptosis, which could be partially rescued by PNLIP overexpression (P<0.05). Circ_0001017 regulated the miR-197-3P/PNLIP axis and played a protective role in PDAC progression. It could inhibit the proliferation of PDAC cells, induce the apoptosis of tumor cells, and reduce the aerobic glycolysis capacity of the cells.