The Role of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network and its Potential Biomarker Function in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Background: Revealing the process and mechanism of colorectal cancer will facilitate the discovery of new biomarkers and contribute to the development of targeted drugs. Objective: This study aimed to explore the potentially functional circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in colorectal cancer (CRC), and further explore its mechanism. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify the differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs. Gene set enrichment analysis and KEGG pathways analysis were used to screen out the differentially expressed genes and observe crucial pathways that might have a strong association with CRC. Then, a network targeting circRNA, miRNA, and mRNA has been built by using the Cytoscape software. In addition, the expression of circRNA_0001573, miR-382-5p, and FZD3 was detected by qRT-PCR in CRC tissues and cells (SW480, HCT116, and HT29). Results: Abnormal expressions of circRNAs and mRNAs were obtained by bioinformatics analysis and visualized by Volcano plot and Heatmap. A series of highly correlated pathways were enriched by KEGG analysis. The interaction network of circRNA_0001573/miR-382-5p/FZD3 axis was predicted. The expressions of circRNA_0001573 and FZD3 were highly upregulated and the miR- 382-5p expression level was decreased in CRC tissues and cell lines (SW480, HCT116, and HT29). Conclusion: Our study suggests that circRNA_0001573 and circRNA_0001573/miR-382-5p/FZD3 regulatory networks might provide a potential diagnosis for colorectal cancer.