目前已有研究表明，天然蒙迪光是一种重要的蒽醌类化合物，对多种癌症具有显著的药理作用。然而，其在结肠直肠癌（CRC）中的抗癌作用及其潜在的分子机制尚不清楚。本研究采用RNA测序技术，评估了两种CRC细胞系HCT116和HT29细胞在蒙迪光处理后的差异表达基因（DEGs）。重叠的DEGs的功能富集分析显示，在生物过程中负调控细胞发育以及MAPK信号通路是最重要的基因本体论和基因与基因组百科全书通路。其中，MCM5、MCM6、MCM10、GINS2、POLE2、PRIM1和WDHD1被确定为重叠基因中的七个枢纽基因。所有的枢纽基因均被发现下调，并参与DNA复制叉。在这些基因中，GINS2在两种细胞中都被识别为最具癌症相关性的基因，并具有更好的生存结果。通过rt-qPCR对七个枢纽基因进行了验证，结果与RNA测序发现一致。总的来说，本研究证实了蒙迪光在CRC治疗中的潜在治疗效益和适合的药理靶点。© 2023. 作者，独家授权给Springer Science+Business Media, LLC的一部分Springer Nature。

Morindone, a natural anthraquinone compound, has been reported to have significant pharmacological properties in different cancers. However, its anticancer effects in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain obscure. In this study, RNA sequencing was used to assess the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) following morindone treatment in two CRC cell lines, HCT116 and HT29 cells. Functional enrichment analysis of overlapping DEGs revealed that negative regulation of cell development from biological processes and the MAPK signalling pathway were the most significant Gene Ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genome pathway, respectively. Seven hub genes were identified among the overlapping genes, including MCM5, MCM6, MCM10, GINS2, POLE2, PRIM1, and WDHD1. All hub genes were found downregulated and involved in DNA replication fork. Among these, GINS2 was identified as the most cancer-dependent gene in both cells with better survival outcomes. Validation was performed on seven hub genes with rt-qPCR, and the results were consistent with the RNA sequencing findings. Collectively, this study provides corroboration of the potential therapeutic benefits and suitable pharmacological targets of morindone in the treatment of CRC.© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.