Fig. 3

The representative diagram of circRNA mediated ceRNA network and oncogene signaling pathways. The current study in glioma highlights the regulatory relationship of the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network for different signaling pathways. Multiple identified circRNAs function as miRNA sponge and subsequently up-regulate relevant target genes expression level. However, these target genes or proteins further regulate downstream factors associated with cancer signaling pathways via acting as transcriptional factors or regulatory proteins and other mechanisms. The drawing mainly shows that circ-0000177 activates the wnt/β-catenin pathway through miR-638/FZD7. circTTBK2, circSHKBP1 and circHIPK3 activate PI3K/AKT and MARK/ERK signaling pathway through miR217/HNF1β, miR544a/FOXP1, and miR379/FOXP2 respectively. Additionally, circNPIX activates the Notch signaling pathway through miR34a/NOTCH1. More importantly, a large number of miRNAs, including miR-124, miR-29, and miR-654 sponged by circHIPK3, affect several signaling pathways, suggesting circRNA mediated ceRNA network plays crucial roles in glioma progression through signaling pathways