miR-19a-3p as a Candidate oncomiRNA in Cervical Cancer: Insights From a Bioinformatic Analysis

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a significant threat to global public health, with high incidence and mortality rates. Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing CC progression is critical for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important regulators in cancer biology. This study aimed to identify and characterize a miRNA involved in CC development to assess and its potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker through integrative bioinformatic and experimental analyses.

Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were identified in CC using microarrays, after which miR-19a-3p expression trends were validated in multiple publicly available datasets. miR-19a-3p target genes were identified using the miRNAs Data Base (miRDB) and TargetScan databases. Pathway and biological process analyses were conducted with the Enrichr database. Target prediction and correlation analyses were used to explore potential interactions between miR-19a-3p and brain derived neurotrophic factor-antisense (BDNF-AS). Survival and diagnostic value were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

In total, 24 DEmiRNAs were identified in CC, and miR-19a-3p expression patterns were validated in two independent datasets. This miRNA was predicted to regulate genes involved in transcription. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) BDNF-AS was identified as a potential target of miR-19a-3p. In ROC curve analyses, both miR-19a-3p and BDNF-AS showed potential diagnostic value. Functional enrichment implicated pathways involved in tumor progression. Low BDNF-AS expression was associated with poorer overall survival, consistent with prognostic potential.

Together, the results of these bioinformatic analyses suggest that miR-19a-3p may act as an oncomiR in CC, potentially contributing to its pathogenesis through interactions with the BDNF-AS lncRNA.