AC067930.4/miR-375 Axis Regulates the Malignant Progression of Colon Adenocarcinoma Through the Cuproptosis-Related Gene SLC6A6.

BACKGROUND

Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is associated with high incidence rates and poor prognosis. LncRNAs and microRNAs are known to regulate COAD progression via the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism. Cuproptosis has emerged as a significant factor in COAD cell death regulation and therapeutic responses. However, the ceRNA network related to cuproptosis within COAD has yet to be fully clarified.

METHODS

Differential expression analysis and phenotypic experiments were conducted. Luciferase reporter assays and rescue experiments were performed to elucidate mechanisms.

RESULTS

The AC067930.4/miR-375 axis was found to drive SLC6A6, promoting COAD malignant progression. Suppressing SLC6A6 induced cuproptosis by modulating copper ion levels and ROS. The AC067930.4/miR-375/SLC6A6 axis regulated cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, AC067930.4 functioned as a ceRNA for miR-375 to regulate SLC6A6 expression. Rescue experiments demonstrated that miR-375's regulatory role in COAD malignant progression was partly dependent on SLC6A6.

CONCLUSION

Our research elucidates a cuproptosis-related ceRNA regulatory network and offers novel potential targets for COAD diagnosis and therapy of COAD.