Consistent with the bioinformatics analysis, our experimental data on expression analysis on 25 RNAlater stored samples showed an overall expression of gene CEP55 as up-regulated (logFC = 7.47, p <  0.001), while FOXD3 (logFC = − 0.66, p = 0.027), FOXF2 (logFC = − 1.33, p = 0.021), GNAO1 (logFC = − 4.78, p <  0.001), GRIA4 (logFC = − 3.25, p <  0.001) and KCNA5 (logFC = − 2.81, p <  0.001) were down-regulated in CRC compared to corresponding normal mucosa. The gene discussed is FOXF2; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.