Abstract
AIM: This study reports differential expression of Antisense RNAs (asRNAs) by analyzing transcriptomic profiles in gallbladder cancer (GBC). BACKGROUND: asRNAs play crucial roles in developing various tumors. However, the presence and biological mechanism of asRNAs in GBC development are still unknown. METHODS: Differentially expressed asRNAs (DE-asRNAs) were systematically identified from RNA sequencing data \ from ten GBC patients. Functional enrichment analysis was performed, followed by the identification of mRNAs targeted by asRNAs and the construction of a gene regulatory network of asRNAs targeting mRNAs. RESULTS: Of the 891 asRNAs identified, 17 DE-asRNAs were statistically significant. Out of 17, 12 asRNAs were upregulated, and five asRNAs were downregulated. Functional enrichment analysis showed their role in methylation and developmental processes. Of the 17 asRNAs, 14 are novel (UNC5B-AS1, SLC2A1-AS1, BBOX1-AS1, SOX21-AS1, ELFN1-AS1, TRPM2-AS, DNAH17-AS1, DCST1-AS1, VPS9D1-AS1, MIR1-1HG-AS1, HAND2-AS1, PGM5P4-AS1, PGM5P3-AS1, and MAGI2-AS). Enrichment analysis of asRNAs with target mRNAs showed enrichment in biological regulation and developmental processes involved in the PI3K, p53, apoptosis, and VEGF signaling pathways. CONCLUSION: This study identified 14 asRNAs for the first time and showed that asRNAs targeting mRNAs strongly associated with tumor development in GBC through the PI3KCA and TP53 pathways.