LINC01132 and LINC02542 modulate the PIK3/ACT signaling pathway in colorectal cancer patients through regulation of IGF2: a systems biology-based biomarker discovery

Background There is ample evidence to suggest that colorectal cancer has unique originations and genetic changes and immune profiles indicating that colorectal cancer is a diverse disease. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) perform different duties in controlling gene transcription, post-transcriptional mechanisms, translation, and epigenetic changes. dysregulated expression of lncRNAs is closely associated with a variety of medical conditions. Method A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was conducted to make an informed prediction about the potential biomarkers. The selection of RNAs for this investigation was based on Microarray data analysis, enrichment analyses (pathway, GO), and direct/indirect interaction. Various statistical methods were used to assess differences in expression in the CRC samples, RNA correlations, and the potential for consideration as prognostic or diagnostic biomarkers (ROC and clinicopathological analysis). Result The bioinformatics analysis revealed that LINC01132 (logFC: 2.361870571, adj. P. Val < 0.05) and LINC02542 (logFC: 2.456774839, adj. P. Val < 0.05) are significantly up-regulated in CRC and have the potential to be diagnostic biomarkers for the disease, as indicated by their high area under the curve (AUC) values (LINC01132, AUC:0/9475, P. Value <0.0001 and LINC02542, AUC: 0/9075, P. Value <0.0001). Additionally, LINC02542 was found to have a positive correlation with the survival rate of CRC cases (HR: 1.8, log-rank p: 0.02). Both LINC01132 and LINC02542 were found to interact with IGF2(sum of local base-pairing energy of LINC02542: -354.52 kcal/mol, and energy of LINC01132: -69.82 kcal/mol). Conclusion LINC01132 and LINC02542 are novel lncRNAs in CRC, and Let-7e-5p miRNA may modulate the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in CRC through indirect effects on IGF2.