Therefore, these data show that circANKS1B, as miR-148a-3p and miR-152-3p sponge, relieves the miR-148a/152-3p-mediated inhibition of USF1 which subsequently transcriptionally elevates TGF-β1 to induce EMT, thus promoting breast cancer invasion and metastasis, supporting the notion that circANKS1B is capable of functioning as a miRNA sponge to modulate gene expression in breast cancer. The gene discussed is USF1; the disease is breast cancer.