Identification of IMPA2 as the hub gene associated with colorectal cancer and liver metastasis by integrated bioinformatics analysis.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
 Inositol mono-phosphatase 2 (IMPA2) was identified as the hub gene associated with CRC carcinogenesis and liver metastasis.  IMPA2 had an excellent diagnostic efficiency, and its expression was significantly decreased in CRC and liver metastasis samples, being positively correlated with poor prognosis.  In addition, our results revealed that the potential mechanisms used by IMPA2 to mediate CRC carcinogenesis and metastasis could be associated with lipid metabolism and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).  Finally, IMPA2 expression could be regulated by DNA methylation.


 IMPA2 was identified and reported for the first time as a hub gene biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC, which could regulate CRC carcinogenesis and liver metastasis through the regulation of lipid metabolism, EMT, and DNA methylation.
IMPA2
The overlapping differential co-expression genes among CRC, CRLM, and normal tissues were explored on the GSE49355 and GSE81582 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database by integrated bioinformatics analysis. 
Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO)
Then, the hub prognostic genes were selected from the overlapping genes by univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis and online database Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2). 
GEPIA2
Subsequently, the clinical value of the hub genes was evaluated in the TCGA and GSE39582 cohorts. 
TCGA
Subsequently, the clinical value of the hub genes was evaluated in the TCGA and GSE39582 cohorts. 
GSE39582