Objective To explore the impact of circular RNA PRKCI (CircPRKCI) on malignant behavior of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells through the miR-101-3p / transforming growth factor beta type Ⅲ receptor ( TGFBR3) axis. Methods si-NC, si-CircPRKCI,miR-NC, miR-101-3p mimics, vector + miR-101-3p mimics, and CircPRKCI + miR-101-3p mimicswere transfected into KYSE150 cells, RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels ofCircPRKCI, miR-101-3p and TGFBR3 in cells. RT-qPCR, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method,transwell assay, flow cytometry, and Western blotting were used to detect the malignant behavior ofcells in each group. Results CircPRKCI and TGFBR3 mRNA were upregulated and miR-101-3p expression was downregulated in KYSE150 cells (P < 0. 05). Silencing CircPRKCI was able to target and upregulate miR-101-3p and to inhibit TGFBR3 expression as well as cell viability, and cell invasive and migratory capacity, and to enhance the cell apoptosis (P < 0. 05). Up-regulation of miR- 101-3p significantly inhibited the malignant behavior of KYSE150 cells, whereas the overexpression of CircPRKCI attenuated the inhibitory effect of up-regulation of miR-101-3p on the malignant behavior of KYSE150 cells (P<0.05). Conclusion CircPRKCI can target and negatively regulate the miR-101-3p/TGFBR3 axis to affect malignant biological behavior such as proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of ESCC cells.
