Sequence analysis revealed that has_circ_0001649 had the potential for protein sponge or transcription regulator with containing of one U2 auxiliary factor (U2AF) binding site, five eukaryotic initiation factor 4A-III (EIF4A3) binding sites and one regulator of nonsense transcripts 1 (UPF1) binding site to participate in HCC development and progression. Here, UPF1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.