CircHIPK3 knockdown blocked the AKT/mTOR pathway via targeting miR-381-3p. (a) Western blot assay for the levels of p-AKT, AKT, p-mTOR, and mTOR in A549 cells transfected with sh-NC, sh-circHIPK3, sh-circHIPK3 + anti-NC, or sh-circHIPK3 + anti-miR. (b) Western blot assay for the levels of p-AKT, AKT, p-mTOR, and mTOR in A549 cells transfected with Vector, circHIPK3, circHIPK3 + miR-NC, or circHIPK3 + miR-381-3p. *P < 0.05.