| Expression pattern: |
UP |
| Associated gene: |
SIGMAR1/OPRS1, GFAP, MAP1LC3B-II, DDIT3, BECN1 |
| Associated microRNA: |
MIR124-2HG |
| Biological function: |
circHIPK2 promotes methamphetamine- or LPS-induced astrocyte activation and regulates astrocyte autophagy and ER stress; knockdown of circHIPK2 inhibits astrocyte activation, autophagy, ER stress, and SIGMAR1 expression. |
| Molecular mechanism: |
circHIPK2 acts as an endogenous MIR124-2HG sponge, sequestering MIR124-2HG and inhibiting its activity, thereby increasing SIGMAR1 expression and regulating astrocyte activation through autophagy and ER stress. |
| Biological pathway or process: |
ceRNA regulation (other); autophagy (promotes); inflammation (promotes); other pathway/process (promotes) |
| Detected method: |
Q
H
|
| Validation methods: |
Back-Splice Junction PCR / divergent primers PCR; RT-qPCR; FISH / smFISH; RNA Pull-Down; Luciferase Reporter Assay; Transfection; Western Blot; IF (Immunofluorescence); In Vivo Animal Model; Bioinformatics Analysis |
| Clinical significance: |
Specific blockage of circHIPK2 could be a potential therapeutic target for inhibition of astrocyte activation in drug abuse and neuroinflammatory disorders. |
| Description: |
circHIPK2 is up-regulated in methamphetamine-treated astrocytes and functions as a MIR124-2HG sponge. By inhibiting MIR124-2HG, circHIPK2 increases SIGMAR1 expression and promotes astrocyte activation through coordinated regulation of autophagy and ER stress. In vivo, circHIPK2 knockdown in mouse hippocampi attenuates methamphetamine- and LPS-induced astrocyte activation, suggesting therapeutic potential in drug abuse-related and neuroinflammatory conditions. |
| Confidence score: |
0.717 |