TMPRSS3 regulates cell viability and apoptosis processes of HEI‐OC1 cells via regulation of the circ‐Slc4a2, miR‐182 and Akt cascade

Background The present study aimed to investigate the functions and regulation mechanism of the transmembrane protease, serine 3 (TMPRSS3), which plays an important role in sensorineural hearing loss. Methods House Ear Institute‐Organ of Corti 1 (HEI‐OC1) cells, comprising auditory‐related cells, were used in the present study. An overexpression vector and small hairpin RNA target on TMPRSS3 were designed and transfected into HEI‐OC1 cells. Circular RNA (circRNA) sequencing was conducted and expression profiles were obtained. The circular structure of circRNAs was validated with a polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing using convergent and divergent primers. Results Overexpression of TMPRSS3 increased cell viability, whereas suppression of TMPRSS3 increased the percentage of apoptotic cells and decreased cell viability, compared to the control group. circRNA sequencing provided expression profiles indicating that the overexpression of TMPRSS3 increased the expression level of 195 circRNAs. Results of GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) studies indicated that the circRNAs are focused on the RAS signaling pathway. The pathway, circ‐Slc41a2 (chr10: 82744115|82767120), miR‐182 and Akt, might comprise one of the key cascades of TMPRSS3. Conclusions TMPRSS3 is an important molecule in the regulation of cell viability and cell apoptosis of HEI‐OC1 cells. Its functions are dependent on the circ‐Slc41a2, miR‐182 and Akt cascade.