Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Modeling Spontaneous Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma mRCC in Mice Following Nephrectomy
Published on: April 29, 2014
Integrated analysis of a competing endogenous RNA network in renal cell carcinoma using bioinformatics tools
1Department of Urology and Hubei Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Pathogenesis and Intervention, Huangshi Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei Polytechnic University, Edong Healthcare Group, Huangshi, Hubei 435000, P.R. China.
Background:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are known to be closely involved in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Nevertheless, their function and underlying mechanisms in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore their expression, functions, and molecular mechanisms in RCC.
Methods:
We downloaded the circRNA expression profiles from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and RNA expression profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A ceRNA network was constructed based on circRNA-miRNA pairs and miRNA-mRNA pairs. Interactions between proteins were analyzed using the STRING database, and hub genes were identified using the cytoHubba app. We also constructed a circRNA-miRNA-hub gene regulatory module. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were conducted using "DAVID 6.8" and R package "clusterProfiler".
Results:
About 6 DEcircRNAs, 17 DEmiRNAs, and 134 DEmRNAs were selected for the construction of ceRNA network of RCC. Protein-protein interaction network and module analysis identified 8 hub genes. A circRNA-miRNA-hub gene sub-network was constructed based on 3 DEcircRNAs, 4 DEmiRNAs, and 8 DEmRNAs. GO and KEGG pathway analysis indicated the possible association of DEmRNAs with RCC onset and progression.
Conclusions:
These findings together provide a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of RCC and suggest potential therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Networks
These interactions can be represented through maps depicting protein-protein interaction networks, represented as nodes and edges. Nodes are circles that are representative of a protein,...
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins
Overview of Microsoft Excel as a Data Analysis Tool
Network Covalent Solids
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
RNA Interference
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...

