Genetic study of miRNA binding site free energy changes and their relationship to histological features in colorectal cancer

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Medical College, University of Babylon, Iraq.

10.22103/jab.2026.26904.1863

Abstract

Objective
Histological changes in colorectal cancer are an essential feature influenced by different factors, and they form an important key role in classification and diagnosis of the disease. Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer type that increased in last year among Iraqi population. This study aimed to estimate the association between histological characterization of colorectal cancer and the impact of mi-RNA free energy changings on their binding sites.
Materials and methods
A cross-sectional study was suggested to achieve the study’s goal, histological features and characterization were used along with the analysis of changing in free energy of some mi-RNA (miR-125a-3p, miR-383-5p, miR-148a, miR-148b, miR-365a, miR-26a, miR-130a and miR-27) binding with their target sequences by PCR sequencing and in silico miRNA-mRNA hybridization prediction.
Results
The results of these histological features demonstrated that adenocarcinoma was more abundant in this study (75%), about 58% of cases were well differentiated. The glands infiltrate the muscular layer but did not infiltrate the pericolonic fat. The free energy of CRC study samples distribution according to a Binding threshold of ΔG >-15 kcal/mol, a significant change in miR-148b was observed while other mi-RNA varied non-significantly between patient and control group. High energy levels were reported for miR-125a-3p, miR-383-5p, miR-148a, miR-365a and miR-26a in mucinous adenocarcinoma though non-significant. Variation in free energy levels was observed in different stages but non-significant. In the grade categories, significant elevation in miR-27 free energy was seen in well differentiation. All free energy values were non-significantly with respect to metastasis. In all types of mi-RNA, free energy levels were non-significantly changes across the N categories. Significant association was found between miR-365a and miR-148b while an inverse correlation was observed in the control group. On the other hand, in the control group significant association between miR-130a and miR-383-5p whereas an inverse correlation was found in the patient group.
Conclusion
The findings demonstrated that the binding free energy was greater than -15 kcal/mol in almost all samples, suggesting that the miRNA-mRNA complexes were comparatively stable. miR-27 was found to have a significant impact on the CRC subtype, indicating a role in tumor classification, while miR-148b showed a significant tumor suppressive effect. Modified correlation patterns between patient and control groups' mi-RNA types suggest a power regulatory disturbance that could be useful for CRC diagnosis or treatment.

Keywords

References

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Agricultural Biotechnology Journal
Volume 18, Issue 3
June 2026
Pages 137-154

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