N6-methyladenosine-modified circ_0006168 promotes epithelial mesenchymal transition via miR-384/STAT3/Snail axis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study aimed to explore the mechanisms of aberrant expression and functions of circ_0006168 in ESCC. In this study, real-time qPCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) are adopted to estimate the expression and localization of circ_0006168 in cancer tissues and cells. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) was performed to detect the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of circ_0006168. Gain- and loss-of-functions of circ_0006168 were performed to identify its role in ESCC progression. RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) was used to detect the interaction of circ_0006168 with IGF2BP2. Luciferase reporter assay and RIP are used to confirm the circ_0006168/miR-384/STAT3 ceRNA network. Our results showed that the expression of circ_0006168 was upregulated in ESCC tissues and cells. METTL3-mediated m6A modification increased the expression of circ_0006168 via IGF2BP2-dependent way in TE-1 cells. Circ_0006168 promoted cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle progression and inhibited cell apoptosis, while knockdown of circ_0006168 had the reverse effects. Mechanistically, circ_0006168 acted its functions via miR-384/STAT3/Snail axis in TE-1 cells. In conclusion, circ_0006168 is upregulated in ESCC and m6A methylation increased its expression via IGF2BP2. CircRNA_0006168 promotes cell migration, invasion by regulating EMT via miR-384/STAT3/Snail axis in ESCC.