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Updated: Jan 23, 2026
Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing
Published on: November 14, 2019
Expression profiles of circular RNAs in human colorectal cancer based on RNA deep sequencing
Jiaxin Ge1,2, Yanping Jin1, Xueyou Lv1
1Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
Background:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel group of RNAs and play essential roles in cancers. However, the expression profiles of circRNAs in human colorectal cancer (CRC) are largely unclear.
Methods:
The differentially expressed circRNAs, mRNAs, and microRNAs (miRNAs) between CRC tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues were first screened. Then, gene ontology and pathway analyses were performed to predict the possible functions. In addition, we identified the differentially expressed circRNAs in CRC correlated with Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and validated their expression levels in CRC tissues. Finally, the correlations between hsa_circ_0142527 expression levels and clinicopathological features of patients with CRC were also analyzed.
Results:
After filtered 4735 circRNAs by RNA deep sequencing, 67 differentially expressed circRNAs (fold change >2.0, P < 0.05) were selected. The top two pathways were cell cycle and other glycan degradation. Hsa_circ_0142527 and KLF4 mRNA were significantly lower expressed in CRC tissues in both training and confirm groups and have high positive correlation (r = 0.754). We further found that the expression levels of hsa_circ_0142527 were significantly associated with age (P = 0.004), differentiation (P = 0.008), invasion (P = 0.029), distal metastasis (P = 0.004), TNM stage (P = 0.005), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA; P = 0.037).
Conclusions:
The circRNA expression profile of CRC provided new clues for understanding the occurrence of CRC. Hsa_circ_0142527 may be served as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of CRC.
Insights
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key in cancer. This study identified hsa_circ_0142527 as downregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) and a potential diagnostic biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in cancer development.
- The specific expression patterns of circRNAs in human colorectal cancer (CRC) remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the circRNA expression profile in colorectal cancer (CRC).
- To identify potential circRNA biomarkers for CRC diagnosis and understand their correlation with clinicopathological features.
Main Methods:
- RNA deep sequencing was employed to screen differentially expressed circRNAs, mRNAs, and miRNAs in CRC tissues versus adjacent normal tissues.
- Gene ontology and pathway analyses were performed to predict functions. Correlations between specific circRNAs, KLF4, and clinicopathological features were analyzed.
Main Results:
- 67 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified from 4735 screened circRNAs.
- Hsa_circ_0142527 was significantly downregulated in CRC tissues and positively correlated with KLF4 mRNA.
- Hsa_circ_0142527 expression correlated with patient age, tumor differentiation, invasion, metastasis, TNM stage, and CEA levels.
Conclusions:
- The circRNA expression profile offers insights into CRC pathogenesis.
- Hsa_circ_0142527 shows promise as a potential diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer.
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