CircAGFG1 Promotes Ovarian Cancer Progression Through the miR-409-3 p/ZEB1 Axis

Sep 21, 2026

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Study evaluates how circular RNA circAGFG1 influences ovarian cancer progression through the miR-409-3p/ZEB1 axis. Expression of circAGFG1 and miR-409-3p is measured by RT-qPCR, while proliferation and metastasis are assessed using colony formation, EdU, transwell, and wound healing assays. Dual-luciferase reporter experiments validate the circAGFG1–miR-409-3p–ZEB1 mechanism. Results show circAGFG1 overexpression associates with metastasis, recurrence, advanced stage, poor prognosis, and enhanced invasion and migration.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Objectives, Methods, Results, Conclusions

Introduction

Background on ovarian cancer and non-coding RNAs

Rationale for targeting circRNAs and ZEB1

CircAGFG1 Promotes Ovarian Cancer Progression Through the miR-409-3 p/ZEB1 Axis Jie Luo, MD 1, Hua Zhong, MD2, Mei Guo, MD3, Peihong Xiao, MD 1, Rongyu Cao, MD 1, Mandan Zhao, MD 1, and Yongping Jing, MD 1 Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment Volume 23: 1-9 © The Author(s) 2024 Article reuse guidelines: [sagepub.com/journals-permissions](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[ ](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[DOI: 10.1177/15330338241252423](DOI: 10.1177/15330338241252423)[ ](DOI: 10.1177/15330338241252423)[journals.sagepub.com/home/tct](journals.sagepub.com/home/tct) Abstract Objectives: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) serve a crucial regulatory role in ovarian cancer (OC). Circular RNA ArfGAP with FG repeats 1 (circAGFG1) has been shown to be involved in promoting the progression of several cancers, containing triple-negative breast cancer, esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer. However, the function of circAGFG1 in OC is unclear. Methods: Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) was conducted to determine the expression levels of circAGFG1 and miR-409-3p. The proliferation and metastasis of cells were determined by colony formation assays, EdU assays, transwell assays and wound healing assays. In addition, a dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to validate the mechanism between circAGFG1, miR-409-3p, and ZEB1. Results: Our data suggested that circAGFG1 was signiﬁcantly overexpressed in OC tissues compared to normal ovarian epithelial tissues. Overexpression of circAGFG1 was correlated with intraperitoneal metastasis, tumor recurrence and advanced stage. Additionally, circAGFG1 overexpression revealed a poor prognosis in OC patients. Knockdown of circAGFG1 suppressed the proliferation, invasion and migration of OC cells. Mechanistically, circAGFG1 acted as a sponge of miR-409-3p to enhance the expression level of zinc ﬁnger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), thereby conferring OC cell proliferation, invasion and migration. Importantly, re-expression of ZEB1 effectively reversed the effects of circAGFG1 knockdown on OC cells. Conclusions: In summary, our study indicated that circAGFG1 may act as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for patients with OC. Keywords circAGFG1, miR-409-3p, ZEB1, ovarian cancer, progression Abbreviations CircRNAs, circular RNAs; OC, ovarian cancer; RT-qPCR, quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR; ZEB1, zinc ﬁnger E-box binding homeobox1; TF, transcription factor; EMT, epithelial–mesenchymal transition; ATCC, the American Type Culture Collection; EdU, 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine Introduction Ovarian cancer (OC) is the primary cause of cancer-related death among cancers ofthe Female reproductive system, and its prognosis is still poor worldwide.1 A high metastasis rate contributes to the rapid progression of ovarian cancer and causes a huge number of deaths.2 The ﬁve-year rate of overall survival in OC patients is relatively low.3 Until now, there has been no effective strategy for ovarian cancer metastasis. In particular, the detailed mechanism of OC metastasis remains unclear. Thus, it is necessary to explore novel and valuable targets for the treatment of OC patients, especially in terms of metastasis. Nearly 75% of the human genome is transcribed into RNA, while only about 3% is transcribed into protein-coding mRNAs. 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Afﬁliated Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China 2 Ultrasound Department, The First Afﬁliated Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China 3 Department of Pathology, The First Afﬁliated Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Corresponding Author: Yongping Jing, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Afﬁliated Hospital, School of Clinical Medic

FAQs

What role does circAGFG1 play in ovarian cancer progression?

circAGFG1 is significantly overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissues and its overexpression correlates with intraperitoneal metastasis, tumor recurrence, advanced stage, and poor prognosis.

How was circAGFG1 function tested in ovarian cancer cells?

Expression levels were measured by RT-qPCR, while proliferation and metastasis were evaluated using colony formation, EdU assays, transwell assays, and wound healing assays.

What mechanism connects circAGFG1, miR-409-3p, and ZEB1?

circAGFG1 acts as a sponge of miR-409-3p, thereby enhancing ZEB1 expression and promoting ovarian cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aurora