hsa_circ_0001900 enhances the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Wilms tumor cells while suppressing apoptosis through acceleration of G1/S cell cycle transition

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2026.06.006

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective ·To explore the function and potential mechanism of circular RNA (circRNA) hsa_circ_0001900 in Wilms tumor. Methods ·Lentivirus was used to construct cell lines with stable overexpression of hsa_circ_0001900 (WIT-49, WT-CLS1, and SK-NEP-1), and specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to transiently silence this molecule. Transcriptome sequencing was performed on hsa_circ_0001900-overexpressing and control cell lines, and its potential biological functions were preliminarily explored based on enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes. cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, wound-healing assay, Transwell assay, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were used to evaluate the effects of hsa_circ_0001900 on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of Wilms tumor cells. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and gene set variation analysis (GSVA) were further adopted to screen Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathways potentially regulated by hsa_circ_0001900. Finally, flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle distribution and apoptosis to verify the related pathways experimentally. Results ·PCR assays confirmed that the expression of hsa_circ_0001900 was significantly upregulated in Wilms tumor cell lines (WIT-49, WT-CLS1, and SK-NEP-1) compared with normal human embryonic kidney HEK-293T cells. Cell lines with stable overexpression and transient silencing were successfully constructed using lentivirus and siRNA, respectively. Enrichment analysis of transcriptomic data showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in pathways associated with cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, migration, and apoptosis. In vitro experiments further confirmed that overexpression of hsa_circ_0001900 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Wilms tumor cells, while silencing this molecule significantly inhibited the above malignant biological behaviors and induced cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, enrichment analysis centered on hsa_circ_0001900 revealed that GSEA and GSVA jointly enriched the cell cycle signaling pathway. Flow cytometry detection showed that stable overexpression of hsa_circ_0001900 markedly shortened the G1 phase and prolonged the S phase in WIT-49, WT-CLS1, and SK-NEP-1 cells, suggesting that this molecule may drive the malignant progression of Wilms tumor by facilitating G1/S phase transition. Conclusion ·hsa_circ_0001900 is specifically highly expressed in Wilms tumor cells. This molecule promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Wilms tumor cells and inhibits cell apoptosis by accelerating the G1/S cell cycle transition.

Key words: Wilms tumor, circular RNA (circRNA), hsa_circ_0001900, cell cycle

CLC Number:

R726.9

Zhu Rundong, Gao Zhiqiang, Xiang Bin, Hong Peng, Hu Zaihong, Cui Kongkong, Long Teng, Zhang Zhijun, Ma Wei, Chen Pengfei, Shi Qinlin, Tian Xiaomao, Wei Guanghui. hsa_circ_0001900 enhances the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Wilms tumor cells while suppressing apoptosis through acceleration of G1/S cell cycle transition[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2026,(6): 740-750.

Figures/Tables 8

Tab 1 siRNA sequences used for specific silencing of hsa_circ_0001900

siRNA	Target sequence(5'→3')
siRNA-1 (si-hsa_circ_0001900-1)	CTGGATCAACAAGATAACA
siRNA-2 (si-hsa_circ_0001900-2)	TCAACAAGATAACATCCCT
siRNA-3 (si-hsa_circ_0001900-3)	CAAGATAACATCCCTGAGG

Fig 1 Construction of Wilms tumor cell lines with stable overexpression of hsa_circ_0001900 using lentiviral Vectors

Fig 2 Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses based on stably transfected cell lines

Fig 3 Overexpression of hsa_circ_0001900 promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of Wilms tumor cells in vitro

Fig 4 Silencing hsa_circ_0001900 inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Wilms tumor cells

Fig 5 Silencing hsa_circ_0001900 induces apoptosis in WIT-49 Wilms tumor cells

Fig 6 GSEA, GSVA, and key mechanism prediction of hsa_circ_0001900 based on transcriptome sequencing

Fig 7 hsa_circ_0001900 regulates the cell cycle pathway in Wilms tumor cells by promoting G1/S phase transition

TrendMD

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