Identification of circ_0089153/miR‐608/EGFR p53 axis in ameloblastoma via MAPK signaling pathway

Objectives This study investigated the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the pathogenesis of ameloblastoma (AB), identifying potential novel targets for future targeted therapy. Materials and Methods CircRNA and microRNA (miRNA) profiling in AB were built with microarrays. Six novel circRNAs were validated, circ‐miRNA networks were delineated. Hsa‐miR‐608 was filtered over cross‐comparison between database screening, miRNA microarray and validated. Circ‐miRNA binding sponge was validated via luciferase reporter assay. Downstream mRNAs were screened. Regulation between miRNAs and mRNAs was confirmed in vitro. Gene interaction networks and circRNA–miRNA–mRNA interaction pathway enrichment analyses were established. Results Six differentially expressed circRNAs were selected and validated. According to miRNAs and pathways predicted, six correlated miRNAs were selected, hsa‐miR‐608 was filtered and validated. The hsa_circ_0089153/hsa‐miR‐608 binding sponge was validated. Downstream gene interaction networks showed that EGFR and p53 had the strongest co‐expression. In vitro transfection results confirmed the suppressive function of miR‐608 and EGFR p53. Hsa_circ_0089153/hsa‐miR‐608/EGFR p53 interaction pathway enrichment analysis confirmed functions mainly enriched in MAPK and related signaling pathways regulating AB progression. Conclusions Six novel circRNAs were identified. Hsa_circ_0089153/hsa‐miR‐608 sponging was validated, hsa‐miR‐608 downregulated EGFR and p53, which might further regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and cell cycle processes via the MAPK signaling pathway.