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.