The functional correlation between mir-16-5p and BIRC5 gene in colorectal cancer: integrated analysis of transcriptomics and in vitro validation.

Abstract

Background: This study explores the mechanisms of colorectal cancer (CRC) through bioinformatics and in vitro experiments. The goal is to find differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and miRNA-gene interactions, especially between miR-16-5p and BIRC5, in order to find biomarkers that can be used to diagnose, predict, and treat CRC.

Methods and results: Microarray data (GSE52060) from the GEO database was analysed using R software, applying LIMMA for log2 transformation and quantile normalization. Significant DEGs were identified, and miRNA targets were predicted with miRWalk v.3 and validated in CRC cell lines. Statistical analyses were conducted using R and GraphPad Prism. BIRC5's impact on survival was analysed via GEPIA2, and correlated genes were identified using Correlation AnalyzeR. The treatment of miR-16-5p mimic significantly reduced BIRC5 expression in HT-29, SW480, and HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Correlational analyses revealed a strong negative association between miR-16-5p levels and BIRC5 expression, emphasizing miR-16-5p's role as a tumor suppressor. While BIRC5 inhibits apoptosis and regulates cell division, miR-16-5p impacts apoptosis, the cell cycle, and angiogenesis. GEPIA2 analysis indicated that BIRC5 expression had no significant impact on CRC survival outcomes.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates miR-16-5p's regulatory role on BIRC5 in CRC cells and its therapeutic potential. Restoring miR-16-5p or targeting BIRC5 could improve CRC treatment strategies. To learn more about how miR-16-5p and BIRC5 can be used to diagnose and predict CRC, more clinical testing is needed. This will help us learn more about how CRC works at the molecular level.