In contrast, Zhang et al. verified that circZNF609 was significantly downregulated in CRC tissues, cells and serum from patients with CRC compared with normal controls; the overexpression of circZNF609 inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by upregulating the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, downregulating the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and upregulating p53 [97]. The gene discussed is BAX; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.