MUC13 -miRNA-4647 axis in colorectal cancer: Prospects to identifications of risk factors and clinical outcomes.

MUC13, a transmembrane mucin glycoprotein, is overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC), however, its regulation and functions are not fully understood. It has been shown that MUC13 protects colonic epithelial cells from apoptosis. Therefore, studying MUC13 and MUC13-regulated pathways may reveal promising therapeutic approaches for CRC treatment. Growing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRs) are involved in the development and progression of CRC. In the present study, the -miR-4647 axis was addressed in association with survival of patients. miR-4647 is predicted to bind to the gene and was analyzed by RT-qPCR in 187 tumors and their adjacent non-malignant mucosa of patients with CRC. The impact of previously mentioned genes on survival and migration abilities of cancer cells was validated Significantly upregulated (P=0.02) in was observed tumor tissues compared with non-malignant adjacent mucosa, while miR-4647 (P=0.05) showed an opposite trend. Higher expression levels of (log-rank P=0.05) were associated with worse patient's survival. The ectopic overexpression of studied miR resulted in decreased migratory abilities and worse survival of cells. Attenuated expression levels confirmed the suppression of colony forming of CRC cells. In summary, the present data suggested the essential role of MUC13-miR-4647 in patients' survival, and this axis may serve as a novel therapeutic target. It is anticipated MUC13 may hold significant potential in the screening, diagnosis and treatment of CRC.