A multidimensional integration analysis reveals potential bridging targets in the process of colorectal cancer liver metastasis

PLoS One. 2017 Jun 19;12(6):e0178760. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178760. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Approximately 9% of cancer-related deaths are caused by colorectal cancer. Liver metastasis is a major factor for the high colorectal cancer mortality rate. However, the molecular mechanism underlying colorectal cancer liver metastasis remains unclear. Using a global and multidimensional integration approach, we studied sequencing data, protein-protein interactions, and regulation of transcription factor and non-coding RNAs in primary tumor samples and liver metastasis samples to unveil the potential bridging molecules and the regulators that functionally link different stages of colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Primary tumor samples and liver metastasis samples had modules with significant overlap and crosstalk from which we identified several bridging genes (e.g. KNG1 and COX5B), transcription factors (e.g. E2F4 and CDX2), microRNAs (e.g. miR-590-3p and miR-203) and lncRNAs (e.g. lincIRX5 and lincFOXF1) that may play an important role in the process of colorectal cancer liver metastasis. This study enhances our understanding of the genetic alterations and transcriptional regulation that drive the metastatic process, but also provides the methodology to guide the studies on other metastatic cancers.

MeSH terms

  • CDX2 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • CDX2 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Databases, Genetic
  • E2F4 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • E2F4 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / genetics
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Humans
  • Kininogens / genetics
  • Kininogens / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Protein Interaction Maps / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / metabolism
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • CDX2 Transcription Factor
  • CDX2 protein, human
  • E2F4 Transcription Factor
  • E2F4 protein, human
  • KNG1 protein, human
  • Kininogens
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • COX5B protein, human
  • Electron Transport Complex IV

Grants and funding

Harbin Medical University Postgraduate Innovative Research Projects, YJSCX2015-19HYD, Dr Bo Gao. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.