Fig. 7

CircPCNXL2 acts as a potential therapeutic target and alleviates anti-tumor effects of trametinib in vivo. (a) Representative images of subcutaneous xenografts. HuCCT1 cells transfected with vector or circPCNXL2 plasmid were subcutaneously injected into the node mice. Mice were treated with or without 1 mg/kg trametinib daily gavage for 15 days. (b-c) Tumor weight and volume of subcutaneous xenografts. (d) IHC staining of Ki-67 and p-ERK in xenografts, scale bar = 50 μm. (e) Liver metastasis models were established by injecting with indicated cells. HuCCT1 cells transfected with vector or circPCNXL2 plasmid were subcutaneously injected into the node mice. Mice were treated with or without 1 mg/kg trametinib daily gavage for 15 days. (f) HE staining of liver metastasis model, scale bar = 200 μm. (g) Schematic diagram illustrating the mechanism by which circPCNXL2 promotes ICC proliferation and metastasis. CircPCNXL2 activates ERK phosphorylation by promoting interaction between MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 through direct binding to STRAP and the miR-766-3p/SRSF1 axis. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001