<i>Cis</i>-Acting <i>circ-CTNNB1</i> Promotes β-Catenin Signaling and Cancer Progression via DDX3-Mediated Transactivation of YY1

Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNA), a subclass of noncoding RNA characterized by covalently closed continuous loops, play emerging roles in tumorigenesis and aggressiveness. However, the functions and underlying mechanisms of circRNA in regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and cancer progression remain elusive. Here, we screen <i>cis</i>-acting circRNA generated by β-catenin (<i>CTNNB1</i>)/transcription factor 7-like 2 genes and identify one intronic circRNA derived from <i>CTNNB1</i> (<i>circ-CTNNB1</i>) as a novel driver of cancer progression. <i>Circ-CTNNB1</i> was predominantly expressed in the nucleus, upregulated in cancer tissues and cell lines, and associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients with cancer. <i>Circ-CTNNB1</i> promoted β-catenin activation, growth, invasion, and metastasis in cancer cells. <i>Circ-CTNNB1</i> bound DEAD-box polypeptide 3 (DDX3) to facilitate its physical interaction with transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1), resulting in the transactivation of YY1 and transcriptional alteration of downstream genes associated with β-catenin activation and cancer progression. Preclinically, administration of lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA targeting <i>circ-CTNNB1</i> or a cell-penetrating inhibitory peptide blocking the <i>circ-CTNNB1</i>-DDX3 interaction inhibited downstream gene expression, tumorigenesis, and aggressiveness in cancer cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate <i>cis</i>-acting <i>circ-CTNNB1</i> as a mediator of β-catenin signaling and cancer progression through DDX3-mediated transactivation of YY1. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings reveal the oncogenic functions of a <i>cis</i>-acting circular RNA in β-catenin activation and cancer progression, with potential value as a therapeutic target for human cancers.