circ_0006988 promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion through miRNA-92a-2-5p/TFAP4 axis

<b>Aim:</b> To explore precise function and underlying mechanism of circ_0006988 in gastric cancer (GC). <b>Materials &amp; methods:</b> GC tissues were collected clinically, and GC cells were purchased from the company. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression. Functional analysis was performed through CCK-8, Transwell and scratch experiment. Binding relationship was validated through dual luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. HGC-27 cells were subcutaneously injected into mice to construct a xenograft tumor model. <b>Results:</b> In GC tissues and cells, circ_0006988 overexpressed, promoting proliferation, migration and invasion. MiRNA-92a-2-5p downregulation or <i>TFAP4</i> overexpression weakened effects of circ_0006988 silencing on GC progression. <b>Conclusion:</b> circ_0006988 facilitates GC development through miRNA-92a-2-5p/TFAP4 axis. circ_0006988 was highly expressed in GC tissues and cells, and overexpression of circ_0006988 could promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer (GC) cells. miR-92a-2-5p was mainly located in the cytoplasm of GC cells, and circ_0006988 could interact with miR-92a-2-5p, acting as a sponge to downregulate the expression of miR-92a-2-5p. TFAP4 was upregulated in GC cells. Silencing circ_0006988 reduced the expression of TFAP4, and simultaneously inhibiting the expression of miR-92a-2-5p weakened this effect. Inhibiting miR-92a-2-5p or overexpressing TFAP4 could alleviate the inhibitory effect of silencing circ_0006988 on the malignant progression of GC cells. Silencing circ_0006988 could inhibit the progression of GC in mice.