Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been one of the most common malignancies worldwide, which tends to get worse for the growth and aging of the population and westernized lifestyle. However, there is no effective treatment due to the complexity of its etiology. Hence, the pathogenic mechanisms remain to be clearly defined. In this study, we adopted an advanced analytical method-Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to identify the key gene modules and hub genes associated with CRC. In total, five gene co-expression modules were highly associated with CRC, of which, one gene module correlated with CRC significantly positive (R=0.88). Functional enrichment analysis of genes in primary gene module found metabolic pathways, which might be a potentially important pathway involved in CRC. Further, we identified and verified some hub genes positively correlated with CRC by using Cytoscape software and UALCAN databases, including PAICS, ATR, AASDHPPT, DDX18, NUP107 and TOMM6. This study discovered key gene modules and hub genes associated with CRC, which provide references to understand the pathogenesis of CRC and may be novel candidate target genes of CRC.

中文翻译：

---

通过共表达分析加权基因共表达网络分析鉴定大肠癌关键基因模块和基因。

大肠癌（CRC）已成为全球最常见的恶性肿瘤之一，随着人口的增长和老龄化以及西化生活方式的出现，恶性肿瘤趋于恶化。然而，由于其病因的复杂性，没有有效的治疗方法。因此，致病机制仍有待明确定义。在这项研究中，我们采用了一种先进的分析方法-加权基因共表达网络分析（WGCNA）来识别与CRC相关的关键基因模块和中枢基因。总共有五个基因共表达模块与CRC高度相关，其中一个与CRC相关的基因模块显着阳性（R = 0.88）。对初级基因模块中基因的功能富集分析发现了代谢途径，这可能是参与CRC的潜在重要途径。进一步，我们使用Cytoscape软件和UALCAN数据库鉴定并验证了一些与CRC正相关的中枢基因，包括PAICS，ATR，AASDHPPT，DDX18，NUP107和TOMM6。这项研究发现了与CRC相关的关键基因模块和中枢基因，为理解CRC的发病机理提供了参考，并且可能是CRC的新型候选靶基因。