Circular RNA ROCK1, a novel circRNA, suppresses osteosarcoma proliferation and migration via altering the miR-532-5p/PTEN axis

As the most prevalent bone tumor in children and adolescents, the pathogenesis and metastasis of osteosarcoma (OS) remain largely unclear. Here, we investigated the expression and function of a novel circular RNA (circRNA), circROCK1-E3/E4, which is back-spliced from exons 3 and 4 of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) in OS. We found that circROCK1-E3/E4, regulated by the well-known RNA-binding protein quaking (QKI), was downregulated in OS and correlated with unfavorable clinical features of patients with OS. Functional proliferation and cell motility assays indicated that circROCK1-E3/E4 serves as a tumor suppressor in OS cells. Mechanistically, circROCK1-E3/E4 suppressed proliferation and migration by upregulating phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) through microRNA-532-5p (miR-532-5p) sponging. In the constructed nude mouse model, circROCK1-E3/E4 inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo. This study demonstrates the functions and molecular mechanisms of circROCK1-E3/E4 in the progression of OS. These findings may identify novel targets for the molecular therapy of OS.