ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the microRNA expression changes and related characteristics and analyze the corresponding miRNA target genes and their bioinformatics in colorectal cancer with liver metastasis.Methods The fresh specimens of primary CRC were collected in 10 patients during operation,with liver metastasis or without.The miRNA expression levels were compared by miRNA microarray between two groups.Then,target genes were identified using target prediction algorithms.The liver metastasis related miRNA-target networks and gene ontology (GO) bioinformatics analysis were further performed.Results A total of six dysregulated miRNAs were identified in colorectal cancer liver metastasis comparing with no metastasis,including 3 up-regulated miRNAs (miR-224,miR-1236,miR-622) and 3 downregulated miRNAs (miR-155,miR-342-5p,miR-363).miR-224 with most significantly up-regulation played regulation role not only with corresponding target-genes but also downstream genes.Conclusions As a core of the regulation networks,miR-224 can regulate the related gene functional groups simultaneously and asynchronously.It further implements the post-transcriptional regulation and plays a vital role in liver metastasis of colorectal cancer.