Circ_0124346 facilitates cell proliferation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells by regulating lipid metabolism via miR-223-3p/ACSL3 axis.

Background: Both lipid metabolism and cyclic RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to be involved in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) progression, but the relationship between lipid metabolism and circRNAs remains unclear.

Methods: The expression levels of miR-223-3p, circ_0124346, and acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 3 (ACSL3) were determined through qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was evaluated using the CCK-8 and EdU incorporation assays. Cholesterol (CH) and triglyceride (TG) levels were quantified using relevant kits. The relationships between miR-223-3p and circ_0124346 or ACSL3 mRNA were examined by bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter, RNA-RNA pull-down, and RIP assays.

Results: We observed a significant elevation in circ_0124346 expression in both pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) tissues and cell lines, and its expression level was shown to be correlated with tumor size. Circ_0124346 stimulated cell proliferation and facilitated lipid synthesis in PAAD cells. Additionally, we found that circ_0124346 functioned as a sponge for miR-223-3p, preventing miR-223-3p's binding to the 3'-UTR of ACSL3 mRNA, which subsequently led to an elevation in ACSL3 expression and promoted lipid synthesis. Accordingly, circ_0124346 knockdown resulted in a significant decrease in lipid synthesis and cell proliferation in PAAD cells, with partial reversal of these effects achieved via inhibiting miR-223-3p or overexpressing ACSL3.

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that circ_0124346 regulates lipid metabolism in PAAD cells via the miR-223-3p/ACSL3 axis, suggesting that targeting circ_0124346 may serve as a potential strategy for treating PAAD and assisting in its diagnosis.