USF1 and breast cancer: In summary, our study convincingly demonstrates that the newly identified ESRP1/circANKS1B/miR-148a/152-3p/USF1 regulatory circuit can induce EMT via the activation of TGF-β1 signaling pathway, thereby contributing to breast cancer invasion and metastasis, meanwhile facilitating the development of new treatment strategy against the metastasis of breast cancer.