Integrated multi-omics analysis reveals miR-20a as a regulator for metabolic colorectal cancer

Single-driver molecular events specific to the metabolic colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been clearly elucidated. Herein, we identified 12 functional miRNAs linked to activated metabolism by integrating multi-omics features in metabolic CRC. These miRNAs exhibited significantly enriched CRC driver miRNAs, significant impacts on CRC cell growth and significantly correlated metabolites. Importantly, miR-20a is minimally expressed in normal colorectal tissues but highly expressed in metabolic CRC, suggesting the potential therapeutic target. Bioinformatics analyses further revealed miR-20a as the most powerful determinant that regulates a cascade of dysregulated events, including Wnt signaling pathway, core enzymes involved in FA metabolism program and triacylglycerol abundances. In vitro assays demonstrated that elevated miR-20a up-regulated FA synthesis enzymes via Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and finally promoted proliferative and migration of metabolic CRC cells. Overall, our study revealed that miR-20a promoted progression of metabolic CRC by regulating FA metabolism and served as a potential target for preventing tumor metastasis.