Analysis of miRNA-Mediated ceRNAs In The Pathogenesis of Renal Cell Carcinoma: An In Silico Approach

Abstract

R ments in surgical and other novel treatment strategies. Competing endogenous RNAs ceRNAs are considered as significant post-transcriptional regulators that modulate gene expression via miRNA-mediated regulatory networks. Furthermore, it has been demon- strated that ceRNAs have remarkable functions in the pathogenesis of cancers by modulat- ing the expression of oncogenes or tumor-suppressive genes. The aim of this study was to define novel molecular biomarkers for RCC via in silico analysis. Seven miRNAs which have clinical significance for renal cell carcinomas were exported through miRTarBase database. 1001 genes which are targeted by these 7 miRNAs simultaneously were deter- mined by ComiR database. The genes with T-UCR in their exonic regions and which have the potential ceRNA activities were extracted. Gene expression differences between RCC and normal kidney tissues according to the renal cell carcinoma-associated ceRNAs involving T-UCR were identified by GEPIA. The statistical analysis of the relationship between NRXN3 and PTBP2 genes with RCC was determined by Spearman correlation test. NRXN3 and PTBP2 were found to be significantly associated with RCC p=0.0057; R=-0.29 . The current study demonstrates for the first time that PTBP2 gene is associated with renal cell carcinoma. The results of in silico analysis suppose that PTBP2 gene may have potential tumor suppressor role in RCC and NRXN3 gene may have potential onco- genic activity in RCC. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are required in order to clarify tumor suppressor role of PTBP2 and oncogenic activity of NRXN3 in RCC