Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is a common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) that contain microRNA response elements (MREs) are involved in CRC progression. They can compete with microRNAs (miRNAs) via their MREs, which can combine non-coding and coding RNAs via complex ceRNA networks. This molecular interaction has the potential to affect a wide variety of biological processes, and many cancers can occur as a result of an imbalanced ceRNA network. Recent research indicates that numerous dysregulated RNAs in CRC may function as ceRNAs, regulating multiple biological functions of the tumor, including proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, invasion, and migration. In this review, we discussed the role of protein-coding and non-coding RNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and pseudogenes, in the occurrence of ceRNA networks in CRC, and their function in cancer-related pathways, like Wnt/β-catenin, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK), and Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathways. Additionally, we discussed validated ceRNAs associated with CRC biological functions and their potential role as novel prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. Examining the role of ceRNAs in CRC sheds new light on cancer treatment and pathogenesis.

Background/aim: The KCNQ1 gene has a significant role in long QT syndrome, Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, familial atrial fibrillation, and short QT syndrome. Analyzing such heterogeneous disorders, six novel short tandem repeat (STR) markers around the KCNQ1 gene were found and evaluated in a healthy population, and other statistical traits of the markers were detected. Materials and methods: Using Tandem Repeats Finder (TRF) and Sequence-Based Estimation of Repeat Variability (SERV) software, STR markers were detected with valid tetra-and pentanucleotide repeats. The markers were investigated for a total of 60 unrelated Iranian healthy individuals and analyzed using GenAlEx 6.502 and Cervus 3.0.7. Results: A total of 77 haplotypes was detected, of which 25 haplotypes were unique and the others occurred at least two times. The number of haplotypes per locus ranged from 7 to 18 with the highest frequency of 69.2%, and the observed heterozygosity was calculated as 0.589. The power of discrimination ranged from 0.70 to 0.96. Five of the markers meet Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Conclusion: A novel panel of STR markers was described with high allele heterozygosity and segregation in every locus, which may lead to faster and more credible recognition of the disease-inducing KCNQ1 gene and allow it to be used for human identity testing and prenatal diagnosis.

Jervell‐Lange Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) with autosomal recessive inheritance is a congenital cardiovascular disorder characterized by prolongation of QT interval on the ECG and deafness. We have performed molecular investigation by haplotype analysis and DNA Sanger sequencing in 2 unrelated Iranian families with a history of syncope. Mutational screening of KCNQ1 gene revealed the novel homozygous frameshift mutation c.733‐734delGG (p.G245Rfs*39) in 2 obviously unrelated cases of JLNS which is probably a founder mutation in Iran. The novel mutation detected in this study is the first time reported among Iranian population and will be beneficial in the tribe and region‐specific cascade screening of LQTS in Iran.

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