MLN, NLN lncRNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels were determined by microarray in three patients; quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction validation of 3 differentially expressed lncRNAs was conducted in another 26 patients. The lncRNAs’ functions were predicted through coexpressed mRNA annotations.
A total of 1133 lncRNA transcripts transcripts were dysregulated in metastatic lymph node, compared with normal lymph node. The expressions of the 3 chosen lncRNAs were validated by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Functional analysis suggests that several groups of lncRNAs may participate in biological pathways related to colorectal cancer by cis- and/or trans-regulation of protein-coding genes.
This study constitutes the first report of lncRNA expression patterns in human MLN, NLN of colorectal cancer. More than 1000 dysregulated lncRNA transcripts are found by microarray.