Circ_0070934 Regulates the Proliferation, Metastasis, and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition of Colorectal Cancer Cells by Targeting miR‐203a‐3p/HOXA13 Axis

ABSTRACT The present work explored the functions of circ_0070934 in regulating malignant phenotype of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and its underlying mechanisms. Gene expression data set was acquired based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for examining circ_0070934 levels within CRC cells and tissues through quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Kaplan–Meier curve and log‐rank test were adopted for assessing CRC patient prognosis based on circ_0070934 level. Functional assays including Cell Counting Kit (CCK)‐8, EdU incorporation, Transwell invasion, and scratch assays were conducted to determine CRC cell malignancy. Molecular interactions were predicted using circInteractome and StarBase databases, and validated through luciferase reporter assay. Circ_0070934 was upregulated within CRC cells and tissues, which was related to a dismal prognostic outcome in CRC patients. Knocking down circ_0070934 inhibited CRC cell proliferation, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and migration. Further, we identified miR‐203a‐3p as a target miRNA of circ_0070934, and miR‐203a‐3p negatively regulated Homeobox A13 (HOXA13) expression. miR‐203a‐3p/HOXA13 axis mediates the function of circ_0070934 in modulating CRC cell malignancy. These data revealed that circ_0070934 was important for maintaining the malignant phenotype of CRC cells, and circ_0070934 knockdown undermined CRC cell malignancy. Targeting circ_0070934/miR‐203a‐3p/HOXA13 axis is the promising intervention approach for managing CRC.