Role of extracellular LncRNA-SNHG14/miRNA-3940-5p/NAP12 mRNA in colorectal cancer

Background: We aim to identify and analyze the expression of dyregulated RNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: We selected a panel of RNAs specific to CRC composed of Nucleosome Assembly Protein 1 Like 2 (NAP1L2) mRNA, LNCRNA SNHG14 small nucleolar RNA host gene 14 (LNCRNA SNHG14) and homo sapiens microRNA-3940-5p(hsa-miRNA-3940-5p) from genetic and epigenetic databases. Validation of the chosen RNAs was achieved by real time quantitative PCR in sera of patients with CRC, versus controls groups (benign lesions and healthy individual). Results: We found that LLNCRNA SNHG14, hsa-miRNA-3940-5p and NAP1L2 mRNA had an excellent performance characteristics and more superior than CEA, and CA19.9 for differentiating CRC from controls. Combined expression of lncRNA SNHG14- hsa-miR-3940-5p and NAP1L2 mRNA had reached 100% sensitivity with accuracy 93%. Interestingly, serum hsa-miRNA-3940-5p could be an independent prognostic factor in CRC. Conclusion: The extracellular lncRNA SNHG14- hsa-miR-3940-5p - NAP1L2 mRNA may aid in CRC management.KEY MESSAGES The extracellular RNAs provide a potential class of noninvasive biomarkers with high specificity, accuracy and stability for detection of CRC. We used insilico data analysis followed by qPCR for detection of differential NAP1L2 gene expression with the selected epigenetic regulators. Our data presented interesting biomarker panel (NAP1L2 gene, lncRNA-SNHG14 and hsa-miR-3940-5p) that may be potential for CRC diagnosis and prognosis.