CircTIAM1 overexpression promotes the progression of papillary thyroid cancer by regulating the miR-338-3p/LASP1 axis

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Sage

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) represents the most common differentiated thyroid malignancy, and its progression is driven by molecular alterations. This study investigates circTIAM1, a circular RNA with abnormal expression in PTC, and its potential role in promoting malignant phenotypes. circTIAM1 expression, localization, and clinical associations were assessed in tumor and matched para-cancer tissues. Mechanistic work identified miR-338-3p as a target and LASP1 as a downstream effector. Results show circTIAM1 upregulation enhances proliferation and invasion in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo through the miR-338-3p/LASP1 axis.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Background on PTC and circRNAs

circRNA–miRNA networks in cancer progression

Methods

Expression detection and localization assays

Bioinformatics prediction and interaction validation

Functional experiments and in vivo xenograft model

Results

circTIAM1 expression in PTC and effects of silencing

miR-338-3p and LASP1 interaction identification

Functional validation of the miR-338-3p/LASP1 axis

Conclusion

ONCOLOGY RESEARCH 2024 32(11): 1747-1763 ARTICLE CircTIAM1 overexpression promotes the progression of papillary thyroid cancer by regulating the miR-338-3p/LASP1 axis YE ZHANG 1; YANAN LIANG2; YAN WU2; LIWEN SONG2; ZUWANG ZHANG2,* 1 School of Medicine and Health, Jiuzhou Polytechnic, Xuzhou, 221113, China 2 Department of Oncology, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401331, China Key words: Papillary thyroid cancer, Circular RNAs (CircRNAs), LIM/SH3 protein 1 (LASP1), CircTIAM1 Abstract: Background: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most prevalent histological type of differentiated thyroid malignancy. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of various cancers. circTIAM1 (hsa_circ_ 0061406) is a novel circRNA with aberrant expression in PTC. However, its functional roles in PTC progression remain to be investigated. Methods: The expression levels of circTIAM1 in the PTC and the matched para-cancerous tissues were detected by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) . The subcellular localization of circTIAM1 was examined by ﬂuorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) . Kaplan-Meier plot was used to analyze the association of clinicopathological features with circTIAM1 expression. Bioinformatics databases were utilized to predict the target miRNAs of circTIAM1 and the downstream target mRNAs. RNA pulldown, RIP assay, and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to conﬁrm the interactions. Functional experiments, such as CCK-8, EDU staining, and apoptosis assays, as well as in vivo xenograft model were employed to explore the impacts of circTIAM1, miR-338-3p, and LIM/SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) on the malignant phenotype of the PTC cells. Results: CircTIAM1 was highly expressed in PTC cells. Moreover, circTIAM1 silencing suppressed the proliferation and invasion of PTC cells in vitro and impaired tumorigenesis in vivo. Furthermore, miR-338-3p was veriﬁed as amiRNA target of circTIAM1 . LASP1 was also identiﬁed as a downstream target of miR-338-3p. The anti-tumorigenic effect of miR-338-3p overexpression and the pro-tumorigenic effect of LASP1 was further explored by functional assays, which demonstrated that circTIAM1 modulated the PTC progression through targeting miR-338-3p/LASP1 axis. Conclusion: The overexpression of circTIAM1 is associated with the malignant progression of PTC. A high level of circTIAM1 promotes the malignancy of PTC cells via the miR-338-3p/LASP1 axis. Abbreviations AKT AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase CircRNAs Circular RNAs CTNNBIP1 Catenin beta interacting protein 1 DMEM Dulbecco’s modiﬁed eagle medium FBS Fetal bovine serum HNRNPA1 Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A1 LASP1 LIM and SH3 protein 1 miRNAs micro RNAs PI3K Phosphoinositide-3-Kinase PREX2 Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate Dependent Rac Exchange Factor 2 *Address correspondence to: Zuwang Zhang, [hukk425@163.com](hukk425@163.com)[ ](hukk425@163.com)[Received: 04 May 2023](Received: 04 May 2023); [Accepted: 01 November 2023](Accepted: 01 November 2023); Published: 16 October 2024 PTC Papillary thyroid cancer RIP RNA immunoprecipitation RNAs Ribose nucleic acids Introduction Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the major subtype of thyroid cancer which occurs in the endocrine system [1–4] . During the past few decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer has increased substantially in several countries, including USA [1] . According to the World Health Organization statistics, the Western Paciﬁc had the highest incidence of thyroid cancer accounting for 47.6% of total cases worldwide. In addition, the incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer are expected to increase by 29.9% and 67% by 2040, respectively [2] . Despite signiﬁcant advancement in the therapeutic strategies, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapies,[3] the high incidence of lymph node metastasis and cancer Doi: [10.32604/or.2024.030945 www

FAQs

What is circTIAM1 and how is it related to papillary thyroid cancer?

circTIAM1 is a circular RNA (hsa_circ_0061406) reported to show aberrant expression in PTC. The study evaluates how its overexpression contributes to PTC malignant progression.

What molecular mechanism does the study propose for circTIAM1-driven progression?

The research proposes that circTIAM1 regulates the miR-338-3p/LASP1 axis. miR-338-3p is verified as a target of circTIAM1, and LASP1 is identified as a downstream target of miR-338-3p.

How does circTIAM1 affect tumor behavior in vitro and in vivo?

Silencing circTIAM1 suppresses proliferation and invasion of PTC cells in vitro and impairs tumorigenesis in vivo. The axis modulation through miR-338-3p and LASP1 further supports these functional effects.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Sage