NR0B2 Is a Key Factor for Gastric Diseases: A GEO Database Analysis Combined with Drug-Target Mendelian Randomization

Small Heterodimer Partner (SHP; NR0B2) is an orphan receptor that acts as a transcriptional regulator, controlling various metabolic processes, and is a potential therapeutic target for cancer. Examining the correlation between the expression of NR0B2 and the risk of gastric diseases could open a new path for treatment and drug development. The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was utilized to explore NR0B2 gene expression profiles in gastric diseases. Co-expressed genes were identified through Weighted Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA), and GO enrichment was performed to identify potential pathways. The Xcell method was employed to analyze immune infiltration relationships. To determine the potential causal relationship between NR0B2 expression and gastric diseases, we identified six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as a proxy for NR0B2 expression located within 100 kilobases of NR0B2 and which are associated with triglyceride homeostasis and performed drug-target Mendelian randomization (MR). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that NR0B2 expression levels were reduced in gastric cancer and increased in gastritis. GO analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) showed that NR0B2 is widely involved in oxidation-related processes. Immune infiltration analyses found that NR0B2 was associated with Treg. Prognostic analyses showed that a low expression of NR0B2 is a risk factor for the poor prognoses of gastric cancer. MR analyses revealed that NR0B2 expression is associated with a risk of gastric diseases (NR0B2 vs. gastric cancer, p = 0.006, OR: 0.073, 95%CI: 0.011-0.478; NR0B2 vs. gastric ulcer, p = 0.03, OR: 0.991, 95%CI: 0.984-0.999; NR0B2 vs. other gastritis, p = 0.006, OR:3.82, 95%CI: 1.468-9.942). Our study confirms the causal relationship between the expression of NR0B2 and the risk of gastric diseases, and highlights its role in the progression of gastric cancer. The present study opens new avenues for exploring the potential of drugs that either activate or inhibit the NR0B2 receptor in the treatment of gastric diseases.

Differentially Expressed Genes Associated With Prognosis in Locally Advanced Lymph Node-Negative Prostate Cancer

Older age is one of the main risk factors for cancer development. The incidence of prostate cancer, as a multifactorial disease, also depends upon demographic factors, race, and genetic predisposition. Prostate cancer most frequently occurs in men over 60 years of age, indicating a clear association between older age and disease onset. Carcinogenesis is followed by the deregulation of many genes, and some of these changes could serve as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of drug therapy efficacy, as well as possible therapeutic targets. We have performed a bioinformatic analysis of a The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and RNA-Seq profiling of a Russian patient cohort to reveal prognostic markers of locally advanced lymph node-negative prostate cancer (lymph node-negative LAPC). We also aimed to identify markers of the most common molecular subtype of prostate cancer carrying a fusion transcript TMPRSS2-ERG. We have found several genes that were differently expressed between the favorable and unfavorable prognosis groups and involved in the enriched KEGG pathways based on the TCGA (B4GALNT4, PTK6, and CHAT) and Russian patient cohort data (AKR1C1 and AKR1C3). Additionally, we revealed such genes for the TMPRSS2-ERG prostate cancer molecular subtype (B4GALNT4, ASRGL1, MYBPC1, RGS11, SLC6A14, GALNT13, and ST6GALNAC1). Obtained results contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind prostate cancer progression and could be used for further development of the LAPC prognosis marker panel.

Aberrant MFN2 transcription facilitates homocysteine-induced VSMCs proliferation via the increased binding of c-Myc to DNMT1 in atherosclerosis

It is well‐established that homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Hcy can promote vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, it plays a key role in neointimal formation and thus contribute to arteriosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanism on VSMCs proliferation underlying atherosclerosis is not well elucidated. Mitofusin‐2 (MFN2) is an important transmembrane GTPase in the mitochondrial outer membrane and it can block cells in the G0/G1 stage of the cell cycle. To investigate the contribution of aberrant MFN2 transcription in Hcy‐induced VSMCs proliferation and the underlying mechanisms. Cell cycle analysis revealed a decreased proportion of VSMCs in G0/G1 and an increased proportion in S phase in atherosclerotic plaque of APOE^−/− mice with hyperhomocystinaemia (HHcy) as well as in VSMCs exposed to Hcy in vitro. The DNA methylation level of MFN2 promoter was obviously increased in VSMCs treated with Hcy, leading to suppressed promoter activity and low expression of MFN2. In addition, we found that the expression of c‐Myc was increased in atherosclerotic plaque and VSMCs treated with Hcy. Further study showed that c‐Myc indirectly regulates MFN2 expression is duo to the binding of c‐Myc to DNMT1 promoter up‐regulates DNMT1 expression leading to DNA hypermethylation of MFN2 promoter, thereby inhibits MFN2 expression in VSMCs treated with Hcy. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that Hcy‐induced hypermethylation of MFN2 promoter inhibits the transcription of MFN2, leading to VSMCs proliferation in plaque formation, and the increased binding of c‐Myc to DNMT1 promoter is a new and relevant molecular mechanism.