GTF2IRD1 on chromosome 7 is a novel oncogene regulating the tumor-suppressor gene TGFβR2 in colorectal cancer

A cuproptosis-related lncRNAs signature predicts prognosis and reveals pivotal interactions between immune cells in colon cancer

Copper-mediated cell death presents distinct pathways from established apoptosis processes, suggesting alternative therapeutic approaches for colon cancer. Our research aims to develop a predictive framework utilizing long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) related to cuproptosis to predict colon cancer outcomes while examining immune interactions and intercellular signaling. We obtained colon cancer-related human mRNA expression profiles and clinical information from the Cancer Genome Atlas repository. To isolate lncRNAs involved in cuproptosis, we applied Cox proportional hazards modeling alongside the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator technique. We elucidated the underlying mechanisms by examining the tumor mutational burden, the extent of immune cell penetration, and intercellular communication dynamics. Based on the model, drugs were predicted and validated with cytological experiments. A 13 lncRNA-cuproptosis-associated risk model was constructed. Two colon cancer cell lines were used to validate the predicted representative mRNAs with high correlation coefficients with copper-induced cell death. Survival enhancement in the low-risk cohort was evidenced by the trends in Kaplan-Meier survival estimates. Analysis of immune cell infiltration suggested that survival was induced by the increased infiltration of naïve CD4+ T cells and a reduction of M2 macrophages within the low-risk faction. Decreased infiltration of naïve B cells, resting NK cells, and M0 macrophages was significantly associated with better overall survival. Combined single-cell analysis suggested that CCL5-ACKR1, CCL2-ACKR1, and CCL5-CCR1 pathways play key roles in mediating intercellular dialogues among immune constituents within the neoplastic microhabitat. We identified three drugs with a high sensitivity in the high-risk group. In summary, this discovery establishes the possibility of using 13 cuproptosis-associated lncRNAs as a risk model to assess the prognosis, unravel the immune mechanisms and cell communication, and improve treatment options, which may provide a new idea for treating colon cancer.

Comparative analysis of genetic risk scores for predicting biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer patients after radical prostatectomy

BACKGROUND

In recent years, Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) has identified risk variants related to complex diseases, but most genetic variants have less impact on phenotypes. To solve the above problems, methods that can use variants with low genetic effects, such as genetic risk score (GRS), have been developed to predict disease risk.

METHODS

As the GRS model with the most incredible prediction power for complex diseases has not been determined, our study used simulation data and prostate cancer data to explore the disease prediction power of three GRS models, including the simple count genetic risk score (SC-GRS), the direct logistic regression genetic risk score (DL-GRS), and the explained variance weighted GRS based on directed logistic regression (EVDL-GRS).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

We used 26 SNPs to establish GRS models to predict the risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy. Combining clinical variables such as age at diagnosis, body mass index, prostate-specific antigen, Gleason score, pathologic T stage, and surgical margin and GRS models has better predictive power for BCR. The results of simulation data (statistical power = 0.707) and prostate cancer data (area under curve = 0.8462) show that DL-GRS has the best prediction performance. The rs455192 was the most relevant locus for BCR (p = 2.496 × 10-6) in our study.

Colon cancer transcriptome

Over the last four decades, methodological innovations have continuously changed transcriptome profiling. It is now feasible to sequence and quantify the transcriptional outputs of individual cells or thousands of samples using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). These transcriptomes serve as a connection between cellular behaviors and their underlying molecular mechanisms, such as mutations. This relationship, in the context of cancer, provides a chance to unravel tumor complexity and heterogeneity and uncover novel biomarkers or treatment options. Since colon cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies, its prognosis and diagnosis seem to be critical. The transcriptome technology is developing for an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of cancer which can provide better protectivity and prognostic utility to medical teams and patients. A transcriptome is a whole set of expressed coding and non-coding RNAs in an individual or cell population. The cancer transcriptome includes RNA-based changes. The combined genome and transcriptome of a patient may provide a comprehensive picture of their cancer, and this information is beginning to affect treatment decision-making in real-time. A full assessment of the transcriptome of colon (colorectal) cancer has been assessed in this review paper based on risk factors such as age, obesity, gender, alcohol use, race, and also different stages of cancer, as well as non-coding RNAs like circRNAs, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and siRNAs. Similarly, they have been examined independently in the transcriptome study of colon cancer.

Rab27b, a Regulator of Exosome Secretion, Is Associated With Peritoneal Metastases in Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

Peritoneal metastasis (PM) of gastric cancer (GC) leads to poor clinical outcomes. Tumor-derived exosomes promote metastasis via communication between tumor cells and host cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of Rab27, which is required for exosome secretion, on the PM of GC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We established a stable knockdown of two Rab27 homologs, Rab27a and Rab27b, in human GC cells (58As9) with a high potential of PM. We examined the level of exosome secretion from Rab27-knockdown 58As9 cells by Western blotting and the ability of Rab27b knockdown to suppress PM in 58As9 cells using a mouse xenograft model. In vitro proliferation and invasion assays were performed in the Rab27b-knockdown cells. Next, Rab27b expression was evaluated in human GC tissues by immunohistochemistry. Finally, we assessed the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of Rab27b expression by RT-qPCR in both our and other TCGA datasets of GC.

RESULTS

Rab27a and Rab27b knockdown in 58As9 cells decreased the secretion of exosomes, characterized by the endocytic marker CD63. Rab27b knockdown decreased PM in vivo without affecting the in vitro proliferation or invasion ability of 58As9 cells. In human GC tissues, Rab27b was overexpressed in tumor cells. The overall and recurrence-free survival rates were significantly lower in GC patients with high compared to low Rab27b mRNA expression in our and other TCGA datasets.

CONCLUSION

Rab27b expression potentially serves as a poor prognostic biomarker, possibly affecting PM via exosome secretion from GC cells.

Circ_CHMP5 aggravates oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced damage to human umbilical vein endothelial cells through miR-516b-5p/TGFβR2 axis

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis (AS) was one of the main causes of death in the elderly, and lesions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) could lead to AS. CircRNA-charged multivesicular body protein 5 (circ_CHMP5) was reported to participate in the progression of AS.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the levels of circ_CHMP5, miR-516b-5p, and transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 (TGFβR2) in AS patients or ox-LDL-induced HUVECs. 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine and cell counting kit-8 assays were performed to detect cell proliferation. Proteins expression was assessed by western blot assay. Cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. Tube formation assay was utilized to measure the tube formation ability of HUVCEs. The targeting relationships between miR-516b-5p and circ_CHMP5 or TGFβR2 were confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA-pull down assay.

RESULTS

Circ_CHMP5 was enhanced in the serum of AS patients and ox-LDL-exposure HUVECs. Ox-LDL blocked proliferation and tube formation of HUVECs and induced cell apoptosis, and circ_CHMP5 knockdown reversed these effects. In addition, circ_CHMP5 regulated the growth of ox-LDL-induced HUVECs through miR-516b-5p and TGFβR2. Moreover, the effects of circ_CHMP5 knockdown on ox-LDL-induced HUVECs were obviously recovered by downregulation of miR-516b-5p, and overexpression of TGFβR2 restored the effects of miR-516b-5p upregulation on ox-LDL-stimulated HUVECs.

CONCLUSION

Silence of circ_CHMP5 overturned ox-LDL-treated inhibition of HUVECs proliferation and angiogenesis by miR-516b-5p and TGFβR2. These results provided new solutions for the treatment of AS.

Circulating Tumor Cell-Free DNA Genes as Prognostic Gene Signature for Platinum Resistant Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis

Clinical management of gynecological cancer begins by optimal debulking with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. However, in ~80% patients, ovarian cancer will recur and is lethal. Prognostic gene signature panel identifying platinum-resistance enables better patient stratification for precision therapy. Retrospectively collected serum from 11 "poor" (<6 months progression free interval [PFI]) and 22 "favorable" (>24 months PFI) prognosis patients, were evaluated using circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA). DNA from both groups showed 50 to 10 000 bp fragments. Pairwise analysis of sequenced cfDNA from patients showed that gene dosages were higher for 29 genes and lower for 64 genes in poor than favorable prognosis patients. Gene ontology analysis of higher dose genes predominantly grouped into cytoskeletal proteins, while lower dose genes, as hydrolases and receptors. Higher dosage genes searched for cancer-relatedness in Reactome database indicated 15 genes were referenced with cancer. Among them 3 genes, TGFBR2, ZMIZ2, and NRG2, were interacting with more than 4 cancer-associated genes. Protein expression analysis of tumor samples indicated that TGFBR2 was downregulated and ZMIZ2 was upregulated in poor prognosis patients. Our results indicate that the cfDNA gene dosage combined with protein expression in tumor samples can serve as gene signature panel for prognosis determination amongst ovarian cancer patients.

Histopathological and Molecular Profiling of Clear Cell Sarcoma and Correlation with Response to Crizotinib: An Exploratory Study Related to EORTC 90101 "CREATE" Trial

Simple Summary

Clear cell sarcoma (CCSA) is a rare subtype of soft tissue sarcoma characterized by EWSR1 rearrangement and subsequent MET upregulation. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 90101 phase II trial evaluated the MET inhibitor crizotinib in CCSA but resulted in only sporadic responses. The aim of this exploratory study was to identify the molecular alterations potentially relevant for the treatment outcome by using archival CCSA samples and trial-related clinical data. We characterized MET signaling and revealed an infrequent activation of MET, which may explain the lack of response to crizotinib in the disease cohort. Based on sequencing analyses, we discovered copy number alterations, mutations and dysregulated pathways with potentially predictive or prognostic values for patients’ outcomes. This work describes the molecular heterogeneity in CCSA and provides deep insight into the biology of this ultra-rare malignancy, which may potentially lead to better therapeutic approaches.

Abstract

Clear cell sarcoma (CCSA) is characterized by a chromosomal translocation leading to EWSR1 rearrangement, resulting in aberrant transcription of multiple genes, including MET. The EORTC 90101 phase II trial evaluated the MET inhibitor crizotinib in CCSA but resulted in only sporadic responses. We performed an in-depth histopathological and molecular analysis of archival CCSA samples to identify alterations potentially relevant for the treatment outcome. Immunohistochemical characterization of MET signaling was performed using a tissue microarray constructed from 32 CCSA cases. The DNA from 24 available tumor specimens was analyzed by low-coverage whole-genome sequencing and whole-exome sequencing for the detection of recurrent copy number alterations (CNAs) and mutations. A pathway enrichment analysis was performed to identify the pathways relevant for CCSA tumorigenesis. Kaplan–Meier estimates and Fisher’s exact test were used to correlate the molecular findings with the clinical features related to crizotinib treatment, aiming to assess a potential association with the outcomes. The histopathological analysis showed the absence of a MET ligand and MET activation, with the presence of MET itself in most of cases. However, the expression/activation of MET downstream molecules was frequently observed, suggesting the role of other receptors in CCSA signal transduction. Using sequencing, we detected a number of CNAs at the chromosomal arm and region levels. The most common alteration was a gain of 8q24.21, observed in 83% of the cases. The loss of chromosomes 9q and 12q24 was associated with shorter survival. Based on exome sequencing, 40 cancer-associated genes were found to be mutated in more than one sample, with SRGAP3 and KMT2D as the most common alterations (each in four cases). The mutated genes encoded proteins were mainly involved in receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, polymerase-II transcription, DNA damage repair, SUMOylation and chromatin organization. Disruption in chromatin organization was correlated with longer progression-free survival in patients receiving crizotinib. Conclusions: The infrequent activation of MET may explain the lack of response to crizotinib observed in the majority of cases in the clinical trial. Our work describes the molecular heterogeneity in CCSA and provides further insight into the biology of this ultra-rare malignancy, which may potentially lead to better therapeutic approaches for CCSA.

Oxysterol binding protein-like 3 (OSBPL3) is a novel driver gene that promotes tumor growth in part through R-Ras/Akt signaling in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumors. To improve the prognosis of GC, the identification of novel driver genes as therapeutic targets is in urgent need. Here, we aimed to identify novel driver genes and clarify their roles in gastric cancer. OSBPL3 was identified as a candidate driver gene by in silico analysis of public genomic datasets. OSBPL3 expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry in GC cells and tissues. The biological functions and mechanisms of OSBPL3 in GC were examined in vitro and in vivo using GC cells. The association between OSBPL3 expression and clinical outcome in GC patients was also evaluated. Overexpression of OSBPL3 was detected in GC cells with OSBPL3 DNA copy number gains and promoter hypomethylation. OSBPL3-knockdown reduced GC cell growth in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting cell cycle progression. Moreover, an active Ras pull-down assay and western blotting demonstrated that OSBPL3 activates the R-Ras/Akt signaling pathway in GC cells. In a clinical analysis of two GC datasets, high OSBPL3 expression was predictive of a poor prognosis. Our findings suggest that OSBPL3 is a novel driver gene stimulating the R-Ras/Akt signaling pathway and a potential therapeutic target in GC patients.

Mitotic checkpoint regulator RAE1 promotes tumor growth in colorectal cancer

Microtubules are among the most successful targets for anticancer therapy because they play important roles in cell proliferation as they constitute the mitotic spindle, which is critical for chromosome segregation during mitosis. Hence, identifying new therapeutic targets encoding proteins that regulate microtubule assembly and function specifically in cancer cells is critical. In the present study, we identified a candidate gene that promotes tumor progression, ribonucleic acid export 1 (RAE1), a mitotic checkpoint regulator, on chromosome 20q through a bioinformatics approach using datasets of colorectal cancer (CRC), including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). RAE1 was ubiquitously amplified and overexpressed in tumor cells. High expression of RAE1 in tumor tissues was positively associated with distant metastasis and was an independent poor prognostic factor in CRC. In vitro and in vivo analysis showed that RAE1 promoted tumor growth, inhibited apoptosis, and promoted cell cycle progression, possibly with a decreased proportion of multipolar spindle cells in CRC. Furthermore, RAE1 induced chemoresistance through its anti-apoptotic effect. In addition, overexpression of RAE1 and significant effects on survival were observed in various types of cancer, including CRC. In conclusion, we identified RAE1 as a novel gene that facilitates tumor growth in part by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting cell cycle progression through stabilizing spindle bipolarity and facilitating tumor growth. We suggest that it is a potential therapeutic target to overcome therapeutic resistance of CRC.

A Dynamic Transcription Factor Signature Along the Colorectal Adenoma-Carcinoma Sequence in Patients With Co-Occurrent Adenoma and Carcinoma

Background

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) often arises from benign adenoma after a stepwise accumulation of genetic alterations. Here, we profiled the dynamic landscapes of transcription factors (TFs) in the mucosa-adenoma-carcinoma progression sequence.

Methods

The transcriptome data of co-occurrent adenoma, carcinoma, and normal mucosa samples were obtained from GSE117606. Identification of differentially expressed TFs (DE-TFs) and subsequent function annotation were conducted in R software. Expression patterns of DE-TFs were clustered by Short Time-series Expression Miner software. Thereafter, modular co-expression analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, mutation profiling, and gene set enrichment analysis were conducted to investigate TF dynamics in colorectal tumorigenesis. Finally, tissue microarrays, including 51 tumors, 32 adenomas, and 53 normal tissues, were employed to examine the expression of significant candidates by immunohistochemistry staining.

Results

Compared to normal tissues, 20 (in adenoma samples) and 29 (in tumor samples) DE-TFs were identified. During the disease course, 28 expression patterns for DE-TFs and four co-expression modules were clustered. Notably, six DE-TFs, DACH1, GTF2IRD1, MEIS2, NR3C2, SOX9, and SPIB, were identified as having a dynamic signature along the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence. The dynamic signature was of significance in GO enrichment, prognosis, and co-expression analysis. Among the 6-TF signature, the roles of GTF2IRD1, SPIB and NR3C2 in CRC progression are unclear. Immunohistochemistry validation showed that GTF2IRD1 enhanced significantly throughout the mucosa-adenoma-carcinoma sequence, while SPIB and NR3C2 kept decreasing in stroma during the disease course.

Conclusions

Our study provided a dynamic 6-TF signature throughout the course of colorectal mucosa-adenoma-carcinoma. These findings deepened the understanding of colorectal cancer pathogenesis.

The Roles of Transmembrane Mucins Located on Chromosome 7q22.1 in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common types of cancers. It is associated with a poor prognosis and high mortality. The role of mucins (MUCs) in colon tumorigenesis is unclear, but it might be significant in the progression of malignancy. Some mucins, such as MUC1 and MUC13, act as oncogenes, whereas others, such as MUC2 and MUC6, are tumor suppressors. However, there are still mucins with unidentified roles in CRC. In this review, we discuss the reported roles of mucins in CRC. Moreover, we review the capability of the mucin family to serve as a sensitive and specific histopathological marker for the early diagnosis of CRC. Lastly, the role of mucin genes clustered on chromosome 7q22 in CRC and other cancers is also discussed.

The novel driver gene ASAP2 is a potential druggable target in pancreatic cancer

Targeting mutated oncogenes is an effective approach for treating cancer. The 4 main driver genes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are KRAS, TP53, CDKN2A, and SMAD4, collectively called the "big 4" of PDAC, however they remain challenging therapeutic targets. In this study, ArfGAP with SH3 domain, ankyrin repeat and PH domain 2 (ASAP2), one of the ArfGAP family, was identified as a novel driver gene in PDAC. Clinical analysis with PDAC datasets showed that ASAP2 was overexpressed in PDAC cells based on increased DNA copy numbers, and high ASAP2 expression contributed to a poor prognosis in PDAC. The biological roles of ASAP2 were investigated using ASAP2-knockout PDAC cells generated with CRISPR-Cas9 technology or transfected PDAC cells. In vitro and in vivo analyses showed that ASAP2 promoted tumor growth by facilitating cell cycle progression through phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). A repositioned drug targeting the ASAP2 pathway was identified using a bioinformatics approach. The gene perturbation correlation method showed that niclosamide, an antiparasitic drug, suppressed PDAC growth by inhibition of ASAP2 expression. These data show that ASAP2 is a novel druggable driver gene that activates the EGFR signaling pathway. Furthermore, niclosamide was identified as a repositioned therapeutic agent for PDAC possibly targeting ASAP2.

GTF2IRD1 overexpression promotes tumor progression and correlates with less CD8+ T cells infiltration in pancreatic cancer

Background: General Transcription Factor II-I Repeat Domain-Containing Protein 1 (GTF2IRD1) is a member of the GTF21 gene family, which encodes a set of multifunctional transcription factors. However, the potential function of GTF2IRD1 in pancreatic cancer (PC) still remains unknown. Study on GTF2IRD1 might provide a new insight into the carcinogenesis and therapeutics of PC.

Methods: In the current study, the clinical significance and potential biological of GTF2IRD1 were evaluated by bioinformatics analysis. The oncogenic role of GTF2IRD1 in PC was also determined using in vitro studies. Possible associations between GTF2IRD1 expression and tumor immunity were analyzed using ESTIMATE algorithm and single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA).

Results: GTF2IRD1 expression was significantly up-regulated in tumor tissues, and positively associated with higher histologic grade, higher American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, and worse prognosis. Function enrichment analysis demonstrated that GTF2IRD1 may be involved in pancreatic adenocarcinoma pathway, TGF-β signaling pathway, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) related biological functions, such as T-cell receptor signaling pathway, leukocyte transendothelial migration, resistin as a regulator of inflammation, and regulation of leukocyte-mediated cytotoxicity. Knockdown of GTF2IRD1 expression inhibited cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion in vitro. ESTIMATE algorithm and ssGSEA demonstrated that GTF2IRD1 expression negatively correlated with the infiltration and anti-tumor activity of TILs, especially for CD8⁺ T cells.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that GTF2IRD1 overexpression promotes tumor progression and correlates with less CD8⁺ T cells infiltration in PC.

Upregulation of miR-1269 Contributes to the Progression of Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer Cells and Is Associated With Poor Prognosis

Background:

MicroRNA-1269 (miR-1269) has been identified upregulated in several cancers, as well as in esophageal cancer. In the present study, we investigated the clinical prognostic significance and potential functional role of miR-1269 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods:

A total of 107 ESCC patients who underwent surgical resection were enrolled in this study. miR-1269 expression was measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to explore the prognostic significance of miR-1269. CCK-8 assays and Transwell assays were used to investigate the effects of miR-1269 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The direct association between miR-1269 and SOX6 was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter assay.

Results:

The expression of miR-1269 was significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and cell lines compared with adjacent normal tissues and esophageal epithelial cell line, respectively. What’s more, the upregulation of miR-1269 was associated with positive lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage. ESCC patients with high miR-1269 expression had shorter overall survival than those with low miR-1269 expression levels. Compared with the control group, overexpression of miR-1269 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while knockdown of miR-1269 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. SOX6 was a direct target of miR-1269.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that miR-1269 plays an important role in the progression of ESCC by targeting SOX6 and may be a potential prognostic biomarker and the miR-1269/SOX6 axis may be a therapeutic target for the patient with ESCC.

GTF2IRD1 on chromosome 7 is a novel oncogene regulating the tumor-suppressor gene TGFβR2 in colorectal cancer

Chromosome 7q (Ch.7q) is clonally amplified in colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to identify oncogenes on Ch.7q that are overexpressed through DNA copy number amplification and determine the biological and clinical significance of these oncogenes in CRC. We identified general transcription factor 2I repeat domain‐containing protein 1 (GTF2IRD1) as a potential oncogene using a CRC dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas with a bioinformatics approach. We measured the expression of GTF2IRD1 in 98 patients with CRC using immunohistochemistry and RT‐quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR). The biological effects of GTF2IRD1 expression were explored by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Next, we undertook in vitro cell proliferation and cell cycle assays using siGTF2IRD1‐transfected CRC cells. We further investigated the oncogenic mechanisms through which GTF2IRD1 promoted CRC progression. Finally, we assessed the clinical significance of GTF2IRD1 expression by RT‐qPCR. GTF2IRD1 was overexpressed in tumor cells and liver metastatic lesions. The GSEA revealed a positive correlation between GTF2IRD1 expression and cell cycle progression‐related genes. GTF2IRD1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest in Smad4‐mutated CRC. GTF2IRD1 downregulated the expression of the gene encoding transforming growth factor β receptor 2 (TGFβR2), a tumor‐suppressor gene in Smad4‐mutated CRC. On multivariate analysis, high GTF2IRD1 expression was an independent poor prognostic factor. Clinicopathological analysis showed that GTF2IRD1 expression was positively correlated with liver metastasis. In conclusion, GTF2IRD1 promoted CRC progression by downregulating TGFβR2 and could be a prognostic biomarker on Ch.7q in CRC. GTF2IRD1 could also be a novel oncogene in CRC.