NSD2 circular RNA promotes metastasis of colorectal cancer by targeting miR-199b-5p-mediated DDR1 and JAG1 signalling.

Liver metastasis is the main cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we searched for CRC metastasis-associated circular RNA in a mouse model of liver metastasis of CRC by using RNA (transcriptome)-sequencing. We identified a novel and conserved circular RNA, circ-NSD2, functioning as a promoter of CRC metastasis. Circ-NSD2 expression was elevated in CRC tissues and was markedly increased in advanced stages or metastatic tumours of CRC patients. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that circ-NSD2 promoted migration and metastasis of CRC in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circ-NSD2 acted as a sponge for the tumour suppressor miR-199b-5p and activated DDR1 (discoidin domain receptor tyrosine kinase 1) and JAG1 (Jagged 1) genes, which synergistically helped with cell-matrix interaction, migration and metastasis of CRC cells. Taken together, our findings highlight a novel oncogenic function of circ-NSD2 and uncover a key mechanism for the circ-NSD2/miR-199b-5p/DDR1/JAG1 axis in CRC metastasis, which may serve as a prognostic factor and therapeutic target for antimetastatic therapy in CRC patients.