CircRNA CORO1C Regulates miR-654-3p/USP7 Axis to Mediate Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression

Circular RNAs have attracted the attention in the research on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) development. But the function and mechanism of circRNA coronin-1C (circ_CORO1C) in LSCC progression are largely unknown. Circ_CORO1C, microRNA (miR)-654-3p, and ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) levels in LSCC tissues and cells were determined. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting assays were conducted to determine the mRNA and protein levels of genes. Functional assays were further investigated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), EdU staining, flow cytometry, transwell and xenograft assays. The binding relationship was examined by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Circ_CORO1C expression was elevated in LSCC samples and cells. circ_CORO1C silencing constrained cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis via reducing cell proliferation, inducing cell cycle arrest, inhibiting epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and promoting apoptosis, as well as restraining cell migration and invasion. USP7 is highly expressed in LSCC tissues and cells, and its expression was suppressed by circ_CORO1C silencing. Besides, the up-regulation of USP7 attenuated the influence of circ_CORO1C silencing on LSCC cell progression. Both circ_CORO1C and USP7 could bind to miR-654-3p. circ_CORO1C regulated USP7 expression by modulating miR-654-3p. miR-654-3p knockdown mitigated the influence of circ_CORO1C silence on LSCC cell progression. Furthermore, circ_CORO1C silencing reduced tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, circ_CORO1C is highly expressed in LSCC tissues and cells, and circ_CORO1C silencing repressed LSCC progression via regulating miR-654-3p/USP7 axis.