Potential regulatory mechanism and clinical significance of synaptotagmin binding cytoplasmic RNA interacting protein in colorectal cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes many deaths worldwide. Synaptotagmin binding cytoplasmic RNA interacting protein (SYNCRIP) is an RNA-binding protein that plays an important role in multiple cancers by epigenetically targeting some genes. Our study will examine the expression, potential effect, biological function and clinical value of SYNCRIP in CRC.

Aim: To examine the expression, potential effect, biological function and clinical value of SYNCRIP in CRC.

Methods: The expression of SYNCRIP was examined by immunohistochemistry arrays and high-throughput data. The effect of SYNCRIP gene in CRC cell growth was evaluated by CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The target genes of SYNCRIP were calculated using various algorithms, and the molecular mechanism of SYNCRIP in CRC was explored by mutation analysis and pathway analysis. The clinical value of SYNCRIP in prognosis and radiotherapy was revealed via evidence-based medicine methods.

Results: The protein and mRNA levels of SYNCRIP were both highly expressed in CRC samples compared to nontumorous tissue based on 330 immunohistochemistry arrays and 3640 CRC samples. Cells grew more slowly in eleven CRC cell lines after knocking out the SYNCRIP gene. SYNCRIP could epigenetically target genes to promote the occurrence and development of CRC by boosting the cell cycle and affecting the tumor microenvironment. In addition, CRC patients with high SYNCRIP expression are more sensitive to radiotherapy.

Conclusion: SYNCRIP is upregulated in CRC, and highly expressed SYNCRIP can accelerate CRC cell division by exerting its epigenetic regulatory effects. In addition, SYNCRIP is expected to become a potential biomarker to predict the effect of radiotherapy.