Noncoding Effects of Circular RNA CCDC66 Promote Colon Cancer Growth and Metastasis

Abstract Circular RNA (circRNA) is a class of noncoding RNA whose functions remain mostly unknown. Recent studies indicate circRNA may be involved in disease pathogenesis, but direct evidence is scarce. Here, we characterize the functional role of a novel circRNA, circCCDC66, in colorectal cancer. RNA-Seq data from matched normal and tumor colon tissue samples identified numerous circRNAs specifically elevated in cancer cells, several of which were verified by quantitative RT-PCR. CircCCDC66 expression was elevated in polyps and colon cancer and was associated with poor prognosis. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies in colorectal cancer cell lines demonstrated that circCCDC66 controlled multiple…

• CP
  Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas

  Award: RP160283
• MO
  Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan

  Award: 104-2320-B-006-036-MY3
• NH
  National Health Research Institutes

  Award: NHRI-EX102-10244BI
• NC
  National Cheng Kung University

  Award: D103-35A17
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: R01EB013584