CircLPP Activates the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway via the miR-665/Wnt3a Axis and Promotes Proliferation and Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer.

Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed RNA molecules that play critical roles in tumorigenesis and cancer progression, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the clinical significance, biological functions, and molecular mechanisms of many novel circRNAs in CRC remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified a novel circRNA, hsa_circ_0003759 (designated circLPP), which was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues. High circLPP expression correlated with malignant progression and poor prognosis in CRC patients. Functional experiments demonstrated that circLPP promoted CRC proliferation and migration both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circLPP upregulated Wnt3a expression and activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by sponging miR-665. Our findings revealed that circLPP driven CRC progression by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for CRC.