Construction of a long noncoding RNA-based competing endogenous RNA network and prognostic signatures of left- and right-side colon cancer

BACKGROUND: Cancers located on the right and left sides of the colon have distinct clinical and molecular characteristics. This study aimed to explore the regulatory mechanisms of location-specific long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in colon cancer and identify potential prognostic biomarkers. METHOD: Differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs), miRNAs (DEMs), and genes (DEGs) between right- and left-side colon cancers were identified by comparing RNA sequencing profiles. Functional enrichment analysis was performed for the DEGs, and a ceRNA network was constructed. Associations between DELs and patient survival were examined, and a DEL-based signature was constructed to examine the prognostic value of these differences. Clinical colon cancer tissues and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used to validate the results. RESULTS: We identified 376 DELs, 35 DEMs, and 805 DEGs between right- and left-side colon cancers. The functional enrichment analysis revealed the functions and pathway involvement of DEGs. A ceRNA network was constructed based on 95 DEL–DEM–DEG interactions. Three DELs (LINC01555, AC015712, and FZD10-AS1) were associated with the overall survival of patients with colon cancer, and a prognostic signature was established based on these three DELs. High risk scores for this signature indicated poor survival, suggesting that the signature has prognostic value for colon cancer. Examination of clinical colon cancer tissues and GEO dataset analysis confirmed the results. CONCLUSION: The ceRNA regulatory network suggests roles for location-specific lncRNAs in colon cancer and allowed the development of an lncRNA-based prognostic signature, which could be used to assess prognosis and determine treatment strategies in patients with colon cancer. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-01901-3.