circZNF707 promoted glycolysis and tumor progression through miR-668-3p-PFKM axis in NSCLC

Eur J Med Res. 2025 Feb 27;30(1):141. doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-02359-z.

Abstract

Background: Circular RNA (circRNA) plays an important regulatory role in the development of human malignancies, but the potential mechanisms of circRNA in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain largely unknown.

Methods: Microarray analysis was used to test for circRNAs differing in expression between NSCLC tumors and healthy adjacent tissues. Using qRT-PCR, the expression of circZNF707 was determined. Through a number of loss-of-function and gain-of-function investigations, the biological behavior of NSCLC cells was evaluated. Finally, tests using Western blotting, RIP, qRT-PCR, and luciferase reporter gene detection and rescue assays revealed the potential mechanism of circZNF707.

Results: Increased expression of circZNF707 was found in NSCLC tissues. Functionally, circZNF707 enhances proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis of NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, circZNF707 can upregulate PFKM by acting as a sponge for miR-668-3p, thus contributing to the progression of NSCLC.

Conclusions: Through the circZNF707/miR-668-3p/PFKM axis, upregulation of circZNF707 promotes tumor development. CircZNF707 may provide new insights into the treatment and diagnosis of NSCLC.

Keywords: CircRNA; Glycolysis; MiR-668-3p; NSCLC; PFKM.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Disease Progression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Glycolysis / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • RNA, Circular* / genetics
  • RNA, Circular* / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Circular
  • MicroRNAs