N6-Methyladenosine Modification of circIST1 Promotes Hypoxia-Inducible Factor α-mediated Glycolysis and Progression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: The involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been well-documented in various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, their regulatory roles in HIF-1α-mediated tumorigenesis remain largely unclear. This study elucidates the functional significance of N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-modified circRNA-circIST1 in HCC progression. Elevated expression of circIST1 was observed in both HCC clinical specimens and cultured cell lines. This pronounced upregulation was found to be associated with poor prognosis and survival. Functionally, circIST1 drives HCC progression by enhancing tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and by inhibiting apoptosis, as validated in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, it functions as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that sponges miR-140-

SUBMITTER: Zhan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12801398 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature