Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2025

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
Published on: May 30, 2025
Transcript PHF19-207 May Be a Long Non-Coding RNA with Tumor-Promoting Role in Colon Cancer
Dunja Pavlovic1, Tamara Babic1, Sofija Ignjatovic1
1Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
None:
Recent pan-cancer transcriptome analysis has revealed differential activity of two alternative PHF19 gene promoters in malignant versus non-malignant gut mucosa. One of these promoters upregulated in colon cancer leads to the expression of the PHF19-207 transcript, suggesting its potential role in tumor promotion. The objective of this study was to investigate the function of PHF19-207 using in silico tools and publicly available data, as well as to assess its expression in colon cancer. Expression analyses were conducted via qPCR and RNA sequencing on RNA extracted from the immortalized colonic epithelial cell line HCEC-1CT, as well as a series of colon cancer cell lines cultured in both 2D and 3D environments. The expression of PHF19-207 was found to be elevated in all malignant cell lines compared to the non-malignant HCEC-1CT cell line in both culture conditions, with the most prominent increase observed in cell lines derived from advanced stages of the disease and in the HCEC-1CT cell line overexpressing KRAS. Furthermore, the PHF19-207 transcript was detected in exosomes derived from malignant cells. These findings suggest that PHF19-207 holds potential as a diagnostic biomarker. In addition, in silico analyses indicate that this transcript may function as a long non-coding RNA involved in the regulation of gene expression. Further functional investigations are required to elucidate its precise role in colon carcinogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
MicroRNAs
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Abnormal Proliferation
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...

