Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Reductase-2 as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker of Colorectal Cancer: A Study Based on Bioinformatics Approaches

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with high mortality rates. Some studies have attempted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying CRC, and few CRC biomarkers are now used in clinical practice. Methods: Herein our aim was to identify a new potential prognostic biomarker of CRC, while providing further theoretical basis for studying the pathogenesis of CRC. Results: PYCR2 expression was to be much higher in CRC tissues than in corresponding non-cancerous tissues, and the prognosis of patients with high PYCR2 expression was significantly poorer than that of those with low PYCR2 expression. Further, PYCR2 showed a high correlation with TRMT61B and CDC23 expression. We found that gene mutations had a significant influence on the prognosis of CRC. PYCR2 siRNA transfection decreased and inhibited the ability of migration and invasion in CRC cells. Conclusions: To summarize, our findings provide novel insights to facilitate better diagnosis as well as treatment of CRC.