Numerous circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as vital regulators in various cancers. The newly reported circular RNA ubiquitin-associated protein 2 (circUBAP2) is a critical player in cell growth and metastasis in various types of cancers, although its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) has yet to be fully elucidated. We find that circUBAP2 is upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines to induce autophagy both in vitro and in vivo. The effects of circUBAP2 on migration, invasion, and proliferation may be partially related to autophagy. Mechanistically, we uncover that circUBAP2 can directly interact with miR-582-5p and subsequently act as a microRNA sponge to regulate the expression of the miR-582-5p target gene forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) and downstream signaling molecules, which collectively advance the progression and metastasis of CRC. These results suggest that circUBAP2 acts as an oncogene via a novel circUBAP2/miR-582-5p/FOXO1 axis, providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC management.

许多环状 RNA (circRNA) 已被确定为各种癌症中的重要调节因子。新报道的环状 RNA 泛素相关蛋白 2 (circUBAP2) 是各种癌症细胞生长和转移的关键参与者，尽管它在结直肠癌 (CRC) 中的作用尚未完全阐明。我们发现 circUBAP2 在 CRC 组织和细胞系中上调，可在体外和体内诱导自噬。circUBAP2对迁移、侵袭和增殖的影响可能部分与自噬有关。在机制上，我们发现 circUBAP2 可以直接与 miR-582-5p 相互作用，随后作为 microRNA 海绵调节 miR-582-5p 靶基因叉头盒蛋白 O1的表达。FOXO1 ) 和下游信号分子共同促进 CRC 的进展和转移。这些结果表明，circUBAP2 通过新的 circUBAP2/miR-582-5p/FOXO1 轴作为癌基因，为 CRC 管理提供潜在的生物标志物和治疗靶点。