CircPRKCA Promotes NSCLC Progression via miR-200b-3p/FRMD6/SNAI2 Axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to be closely associated with tumor progression in multiple malignancies. However, the specific mechanism by which circPRKCA influences tumor progression has not been fully elucidated. CircPRKCA is highly expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cells. Knockdown of circPRKCA inhibits the malignant behaviors of NSCLC cells. RNA sequencing results revealed that FRMD6 and SNAI2 mRNAs are positively correlated with circPRKCA. Subsequently, we proved that circPRKCA acts as a molecular sponge for miR-200b-3p. Additionally, miR-200b-3p binds to the 3′ untranslated regions (3′UTRs) of FRMD6 and SNAI2 mRNAs to promote their degradation. Overexpression of circPRKCA thereby suppresses this degradation process and coun-teracts the tumor-suppressive effects induced by miR-200b-3p. CircPRKCA functions as the sponge of miR-200b-3p, suppressing the SNAI2/FRMD6 mRNA degradation driven by miR-200b-3p and accelerating NSCLC progression.