AUTHOR=Ling Sunkai , He Yanru , Li Xiaoxue , Ma Yu , Li Yuan , Kong Bo , Huang Peilin 

TITLE=Significant Gene Biomarker Tyrosine Kinase Non-receptor 2 Mediated Cell Proliferation and Invasion in Colon Cancer

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2021.653657

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2021.653657

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> This study aimed to investigate the expression and biological functions of <italic>TNK2</italic> and miR-125a-3p in colon cancer.</p><p><bold>Materials and methods:</bold> The expression of <italic>TNK2</italic> and miR-125a-3p in colon cancer tissues was analyzed using data deposited on public databases including UALCAN and ONCOMINE. We verified their expression in colon cancer cell lines by RT-qPCR and western blotting. By regulating the expression of <italic>TNK2</italic> and miR-125a-3p in colon cancer cells, their functions and potential mechanisms were explored.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold><italic>TNK2</italic> was overexpressed in colon cancer cell lines, and it was found to directly bind to miR-125a-3p, which was downregulated in these cell lines. Their expression affected the proliferation and invasion of colon cancer cells. Additionally, colon cancer patients with lower <italic>TNK2</italic> expression had better prognoses than those with higher <italic>TNK2</italic> expression.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Our results indicated that <italic>TNK2</italic> and miR-125a-3p play critical roles in colon cancer, and could also serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of this malignant disease.</p>