Transcriptomic profiling of HCT116 and HT29 colorectal cancer cells after piR-37524 inhibition

Piwi-interacting RNA 37524 (piR-37524) is a novel oncogenic non-coding RNA overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC), associated with tumor progression, metastasis, and poor clinical outcomes. To elucidate the downstream transcriptional regulatory network of piR-37524, we performed RNA sequencing on two human CRC cell lines (HCT116 and HT29) transfected with a piR-37524-specific inhibitor or negative control (NC). Total RNA was extracted 48 hours post-transfection, and libraries were sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed DEGs were significantly associated with TNF signaling pathway, TGF-beta signaling pathway, and microRNAs in cancer which are key pathways involved in CRC cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Intersection analysis of upregulated DEGs across both cell lines identified TNFAIP3 as a potential direct target of piR-37524. This transcriptomic dataset provides comprehensive insights into the gene regulatory network mediated by piR-37524 in CRC cells, supporting its role as a therapeutic target via the TNFAIP3/NF-κB/EMT axis. The data will facilitate further exploration of piRNA-driven oncogenic mechanisms in CRC and the development of novel diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.