# Expression Analysis of miRNA Profiles in Colorectal Cancer with a Bioinformatics Approach: An Emphasis on miR-4295, miR-4720-5p, miR-4773, and miR-6831-5p

## TL;DR

This study identifies specific microRNAs that are either increased or decreased in colorectal cancer tissues, suggesting their roles in cancer development.

## Contribution

The study identifies miR-4295 and miR-4720-5p as potentially oncogenic and miR-4773 and miR-6831-5p as tumor-suppressing in colorectal cancer.

## Key findings

- miR-4295 and miR-4720-5p were significantly upregulated in tumor tissues.
- miR-4773 and miR-6831-5p were significantly downregulated in tumor tissues.
- These miRNAs regulate genes in TGF-β, mTOR, ErbB, FoxO, and endocytosis pathways.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to determine the potential roles of miR-4295, miR-4720-5p, miR-4773, miR-6831-5p, and miR-7161-5p in colorectal cancer by evaluating their expression levels in matched tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues from 86 patients. Methods: A total of 172 samples were analyzed, and the associations between miRNA expression levels and clinicopathological characteristics were assessed, along with correlations among the miRNAs. Functional enrichment analyses, including GO and KEGG pathway evaluations, were performed using DIANA-mirPath v.3 to characterize biological processes and signaling pathways associated with the predicted target genes. Results: The results showed that miR-4295 and miR-4720-5p were significantly upregulated in tumor tissues, while miR-4773 and miR-6831-5p were significantly downregulated (p < 0.001). No significant difference in miR-7161-5p expression was observed between tumor and non-tumor tissues (p = 0.877). KEGG analysis indicated that miR-4295, miR-4720-5p, miR-4773, and miR-6831-5p regulate genes involved in the TGF-β, mTOR, ErbB, FoxO, and endocytosis signaling pathways. Conclusions: These findings suggest that miR-4295 and miR-4720-5p may have oncogenic functions, while miR-4773 and miR-6831-5p may have tumor-suppressing functions, and that this relationship may contribute to the development of colorectal cancer.