Knockdown of circular RNA circ-FARSA restricts colorectal cancer cell growth through regulation of miR-330-5p/LASP1 axis

Background: Circular RNA (circRNA) has been proposed to be involved in carcinogenesis. Here, we explored the functional significance and regulatory role of circ-FARSA in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Gene expression was determined using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. We determined the effect of circFARSA on CRC progression using cell count kit-8, colony formation assay, wound-healing assay, transwell invasion assay, luciferase reporter assay and in vivo assay. Result: circ-FARSA was upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines, and its expression had a significant association with the overall survival of CRC patients. Knockdown of circ-FARSA inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells in vitro. Moreover, circ-FARSA functioned as a sponge of miR-330-5p, and its upregulation mitigated the inhibitory effects of miR-330-5p on CRC cell proliferation and metastasis. In addition, circ-FARSA regulated the expression of LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) by sponging miR-330-5p. Besides, inhibition of circFARSA repressed the growth of CRC in vivo. Conclusion: Silencing of circ-FARSA restricted the growth of CRC through regulating the miR-330-5p/LASP1 axis, providing a novel regulatory mechanism for CRC tumorigenesis.