Oncogenic circ-SLC16A1 promotes progression of non-small cell lung cancer via regulation of the miR-1287-5p/profilin 2 axis

Sep 21, 2026

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) with covalently closed structures are linked to cancer progression, yet their regulatory mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer remain unclear. This study aimed to define the role of circ-SLC16A1 and its underlying control pathway. Next-generation sequencing identified dysregulated circRNAs, while FISH and qRT-PCR characterized circ-SLC16A1 expression. Functional assays assessed proliferation, migration, cell cycle, apoptosis, and in vivo tumor growth and metastasis. Bioinformatics and dual-luciferase experiments established miR-1287-5p and profilin 2 as downstream effectors, supporting targeted suppression of tumor progression.

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Abstract

Background

Methods

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Conclusions

Introduction

Jin et al. Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters (2024) 29:43 [https://doi.org/10.1](https://doi.org/10.1) 186/s11658‑024‑00549‑x Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Oncogenic circ‑SLC16A1 promotes progression of non‑small cell lung cancer via regulation of the miR‑1287‑5p/profilin 2 axis Mingming Jin1†, Tailei Yuan1,2,3,4†, Kaisai Tian1,2,3†, Jingjing Li1†, Qingqing Huang1*, Yongbin Chi2,3* and Gang Huang1* | †Mingming Jin, Tailei Yuan, Kaisai Tian, and Jingjing Li contributed equally to this manuscript. | | --- | | *Correspondence:
[qingqinghuang80@163.com](qingqinghuang80@163.com); [chiyb1@hotmail.com](chiyb1@hotmail.com); [huanggang@sumhs.edu.cn](huanggang@sumhs.edu.cn) | 1 Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, People’s Republic of China 2 Postgraduate Training Base of Shanghai Gongli Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Shanghai 200135, People’s Republic of China 3 Department of Clinical Lab, Shanghai Pudong New Area Gongli Hospital, Shanghai 200135, People’s Republic of China 4 Jiangbei Hospital Affiliated to Xinglin College, Nantong University, Jiangsu 210048, People’s Republic of China Abstract Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single-stranded RNAs with covalently closed structures that have been implicated in cancer progression. However, the regulatory mechanisms remain largely unclear. So, the aim of this study was to reveal the role and regulatory mechanisms of circ-SLC16A1 . Methods: In this study, next-generation sequencing was used to identify abnormally expressed circRNAs between cancerous and para-carcinoma tissues. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed to assess the expression patterns of circ-solute carrier family 16 member 1 (SLC16A1) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and tissue specimens. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was utilized to identify downstream targets of circSLC16A1 . Transwell migration, wound healing, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, cell counting, and colony formation assays were conducted to assess the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells. A mouse tumor xenograft model was employed to determine the roles of circ-SLC16A1 in NSCLC progression and metastasis in vivo. Results: The results found that circ-SLC16A1 was upregulated in NSCLC cells and tissues. Downregulation of circ-SLC16A1 inhibited tumor growth by reducing proliferation, lung metastasis, and lymphatic metastasis of NSCLC cells, and arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase. Also, silencing of circ-SLC16A1 promoted apoptosis of NSCLC cells. The results of bioinformatics analysis and the dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that microRNA (miR)-1287-5p and profilin 2 (PFN2) are downstream targets of circ-SLC16A1 . PFN2 overexpression or circ-SLC16A1 inhibition restored proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells after silencing of circ-SLC16A1 . PFN2 overexpression restored migration and proliferation of NSCLC cells post miR-1287-5p overexpression. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings show that miR-1287-5p/PFN2 signaling was associated with downregulation of circ-SLC16A1 and reduced invasion and proliferation of NSCLC cells. So, circ-SLC16A1 is identified as a mediator of multiple pro-oncogenic signaling pathways in NSCLC and can be targeted to suppress tumor progression. Keywords: Circular RNA SLC16A1, Non-small cell lung cancer, microRNA-1287-5p, Profilin 2, Lymphatic metastasis © The Author(s) 2024. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate

FAQs

What was the main goal of the study on circ-SLC16A1?

To reveal the role and regulatory mechanisms of circ-SLC16A1 in non-small cell lung cancer progression.

How did the study measure circ-SLC16A1 and its expression changes?

Next-generation sequencing identified dysregulated circRNAs, and fluorescence in situ hybridization plus quantitative reverse transcription PCR assessed circ-SLC16A1 expression in cells and tissue specimens.

What downstream targets were confirmed for circ-SLC16A1 signaling?

Bioinformatics and the dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed miR-1287-5p and profilin 2 (PFN2) as downstream targets of circ-SLC16A1.

Sep 21, 2026

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