The ceRNA network regulates epithelial–mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer

Abstract Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a biological process transformed by a specific program, is involved in the progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Recently, emerging evidence showed that dysregulation of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) was related to EMT. The ncRNAs, including long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), regulate the transcription of downstream target genes (messenger RNA [mRNA]) through interaction with microRNAs (miRNAs); these are termed competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks. ceRNA dysregulation-induced EMT, which is closely related to the progression and prognosis of CRC, has attracted the attention of researchers. However, the understanding of ceRNA network regulation in CRC remains limited.We discussed the molecular functions of lncRNA, the ceRNA networks related to miRNAs and mRNAs in EMT, and EMT transcription factors zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1/2 (ZEB1/2), SNAIL, SLUG, and TWIST1/2 regulated by the ceRNA network axis. In addition, the miRNAs and lncRNAs which directly target genes, thereby initiating different signaling pathways to promote EMT in CRC, were summarized. Clarification of the role of these molecules in the EMT is key for the diagnosis of CRC.