Fig. 9

Comprehensive analysis of lncRNAs in the MCM8 ceRNA network in ESCA. a Venn diagram showing the intersection of lncRNAs predicted to interact with hsa-miR- 135a- 5p, as identified by the ENCORI and miRNet databases. b Volcano chart from TCGA ESCA dataset showing the differential expression of the intersecting lncRNAs; PURPL was identified as the only lncRNA significantly upregulated in tumor samples. c Validation plot confirming the specific upregulation of PURPL in tumor versus normal samples in TCGA ESCA dataset. d Bioinformatics analysis using RNAhybrid shows the potential binding sites between PURPL and hsa-miR- 135a- 5p, suggesting direct molecular interaction. e Venn diagram representing the overlap of lncRNAs predicted to interact with hsa-miR- 202 - 5p, as identified by the ENCORI and miRNet databases. f Expression analysis of the lncRNAs targeting hsa-miR- 202 - 5p shows no significant differences in expression between tumor and normal samples, resulting in their exclusion from further analysis