| Expression pattern: |
DN |
| Associated gene: |
TIMP3, HBx, DHX9 |
| Associated microRNA: |
miR-665 |
| Biological function: |
inhibits HCC metastasis by suppressing cell migration and invasion |
| Molecular mechanism: |
circSFMBT2 acts as a miRNA sponge for miR-665 to relieve repression of TIMP3; HBx downregulates circSFMBT2 via interaction with DHX9 affecting circRNA formation |
| Biological pathway or process: |
migration (inhibits); invasion (inhibits); metastasis (inhibits); ceRNA regulation (other) |
| Detected method: |
Q
H
S
|
| Validation methods: |
RNA-seq; RT-qPCR; divergent primers PCR; Back-Splice Junction PCR; Sanger Sequencing; RNase R Treatment; Actinomycin D / DRB Stability Assay; Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Fractionation; FISH / smFISH; Luciferase Reporter Assay; RNA Pull-Down; Transfection; CCK8; Transwell Assay; Wound Healing Assay; Western Blot; RIP (RNA Immunoprecipitation); Co-IP; In Vivo Animal Model; H&E Staining; Clinical Sample Validation; Survival Analysis; Bioinformatics Analysis |
| Clinical significance: |
Low expression of circSFMBT2 was correlated with poor prognosis and vascular invasion. |
| Description: |
In hepatocellular carcinoma, circSFMBT2 is down-regulated (including in HBx-overexpressing contexts) and functions as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting migration/invasion and metastasis. Mechanistically, it sponges miR-665 to de-repress TIMP3, while HBx suppresses circSFMBT2 formation via DHX9-mediated binding to flanking Alu elements. Low circSFMBT2 expression is associated with vascular invasion and poorer OS/DFS. |
| Confidence score: |
0.8876 |