Fig. 5

CircEZH2 functions as a sponge of miR-133b in CRC. A Hierarchical clustering map presented the significantly dysregulated miRNAs in human CRC tissues relative to adjacent normal tissues by high-throughput miRNA-seq. The red and blue strips represent high and low expression, respectively. B Schematic illustration predicting the putative miRNAs that might be sponged by circEZH2 based on miRNA-seq data and bioinformatics analyses. C CircEZH2 in HCT116 and SW620 cells was pulled down by a circEZH2-specific probe and determined by qRT-PCR assays. D Relative miRNA expression levels were determined in HCT116 and SW620 cells by qRT-PCR assays after being pulled down by circEZH2 probe or control probe. E Relative miRNA expression levels were determined in control and circEZH2-depleted (shRNAs) HCT116 and SW620 cells. F Relative miRNA expression levels were determined in control and circEZH2-OE HCT116 and SW620 cells. G Schematic illustration of circEZH2 wild-type (WT) and mutant (Mut) luciferase reporter vectors. H The relative luciferase activities were determined in HCT116 and SW620 cells after co-transfection with circEZH2 WT or Mut vectors and miR-133b mimics or miR-NC, respectively. I Relative expression of miR-133b in CRC tissues and matched adjacent normal tissues was analyzed by qRT-PCR assays (n = 124). The association between miR-133b expression and tumor size (J), tumor stage (K), lymphatic metastasis (L) and distant metastasis (M). N Kaplan-Meier analysis of overall survival according to miR-133b expression level (Log-rank test; P < 0.001). O Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed a negative association between miR-133b expression and circEZH2 expression in CRC tissues (r = − 0.1915; P < 0.05). Data were showed as mean ± SD. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01