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Heterogeneous expression of long noncoding RNA RP11-109D20.2: Insights into regulatory gene expression roles in colon
Sara Chitgaran1, Reihaneh Alsadat Mahmoudian2, Seyed Saeed Khatami1
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
|July 16, 2025
Summary
This study identified RP11-109D20.2 as a significantly upregulated long non-coding RNA in colorectal cancer (CRC). Further research is needed to explore its potential as a diagnostic biomarker for CRC progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.
- Early diagnosis and effective treatments are crucial for improving CRC outcomes.
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a significant role in CRC tumorigenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify co-expressed lncRNA networks for biomarker prediction in CRC.
- To experimentally verify the best candidate lncRNA biomarker.
- To investigate the role of lncRNAs in CRC progression.
Main Methods:
- Reanalysis of public RNA sequencing data (BioProject PRJEB27536) to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in CRC.
- Utilized bioinformatics tools such as DESeq2, GSEA, and WGCNA for pathway and gene network analysis.
- Quantitatively assessed the expression of RP11-109D20.2 in CRC patient tissues using RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Identified 17,939 DElncRNAs between CRC and normal tissues.
- Observed a significant upregulation of RP11-109D20.2 (48%) in CRC samples.
- Found RP11-109D20.2 associated with pathways including phosphoric ester hydrolase and oxidoreductase activities; elevated DUOX2 expression correlated with high RP11-109D20.2 levels.
Conclusions:
- RP11-109D20.2 may play a substantial role in colorectal cancer progression.
- Further functional analyses are required to validate RP11-109D20.2 as a diagnostic marker.
- Investigating the role of RP11-109D20.2 in the dysregulation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase genes in CRC is warranted.
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