circ_SIRT1 upregulates ATG12 to facilitate Imatinib resistance in CML through interacting with EIF4A3

Imatinib is the current gold standard for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, the primary and acquired drug resistance seriously limits the efficacy. To identify novel therapeutic target in Imatinib-resistant CML is of crucial clinical significance. CircRNAs have been demonstrated the essential regulatory roles in the progression and drug resistance of cancers. In this study, we identified a novel circRNA (circ_SIRT1), derived from the SIRT1, which is up-regulated in CML. The high expression of circ_SIRT1 is correlated with drug resistance in CML. Knockdown of circ_SIRT1 regulated K562/R cells viability, invasion and apoptosis. Besides, the inhibition of circ_SIRT1 attenuated autophagy level and reduced IC50 to Imatinib of K562/R cells. Mechanistically, circ_SIRT1 directly binds to the transcription factor Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4A3(EIF4A3) and regulated EIF4A3-mediated transcription of Autophagy Related 12 (ATG12), thereby affecting Imatinib resistance and autophagy level. Overexpression of ATG12 reversed the regulative effects induced by knockdown of circ_SIRT1. Taken together, our findings revealed circ_SIRT1 acted as a potential tumor regulator in CML and unveiled the underlying mechanism on regulating Imatinib resistance. circ_SIRT1 may serve as a novel therapeutic target and provide crucial clinical implications for Imatinib-resistant CML treatment.