CircFAM188A regulates autophagy via miR-670-3p and ULK2 of epithelial ovarian carcinoma

Abstract Background: To detect the effect and mechanism of circFAM188A in autophagy, proliferation and invasion of ovarian cancer. Methods: RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of circFAM188A in epithelial ovarian cancer tissue. mRFP-GFP-LC3 reporter, EDU and transwell assay were used to analyze autophagy, proliferation and invasion. The binding site of circ-FAM188A and miR-670-3p was predicted by bioinformatics analysis and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. RNA-pulldown was used to find the protein directly combined with circ-FAM188A. Subcutaneous tumorigenesis model was conducted by subcutaneous injection in nude mice. Results: Circ-FAM188A expressed higher in EOC than in para-carcinoma tissue. Overexpression of circ-FAM188A promoted autophagy, proliferation and invasion, which were inhibited by silencing of circ-FAM188A. The colocalization of Circ-FAM188A and miR-670-3p was mainly in cytoplasm. circ-FAM188A upregulated the expression of YY1 via sponging miR-670-3p. Circ-FAM188A could directly combine with ULK2. Conclusions: Circ-FAM188A expressed highly in EOC tissue. Circ-FAM188A regulated autophagy via sponging miR-670-3p and directly combining with ULK2.