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Pei X, Luo Y, Zeng H, Jamil M, Liu X, Jiang B. Identification and validation of key genes in gastric cancer: insights from in silico analysis, clinical samples, and functional assays. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:10615-10635. [PMID: 38913913 PMCID: PMC11236316 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The underlying mechanisms of gastric cancer (GC) remain unknown. Therefore, in this study, we employed a comprehensive approach, combining computational and experimental methods, to identify potential key genes and unveil the underlying pathogenesis and prognosis of GC. METHODS Gene expression profiles from GEO databases (GSE118916, GSE79973, and GSE29272) were analyzed to identify DEGs between GC and normal tissues. A PPI network was constructed using STRING and Cytoscape, followed by hub gene identification with CytoHubba. Investigations included expression and promoter methylation analysis, survival modeling, mutational and miRNA analysis, gene enrichment, drug prediction, and in vitro assays for cellular behaviors. RESULTS A total of 83 DEGs were identified in the three datasets, comprising 41 up-regulated genes and 42 down-regulated genes. Utilizing the degree and MCC methods, we identified four hub genes that were hypomethylated and up-regulated: COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, and FN1. Subsequent validation of their expression and promoter methylation on clinical GC samples through targeted bisulfite sequencing and RT-qPCR analysis further confirmed the hypomethylation and overexpression of these genes in local GC patients. Furthermore, it was observed that these hub genes regulate tumor proliferation and metastasis in in vivo and exhibited mutations in GC patients. CONCLUSION We found four potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, including COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, and FN1 that may be involved in the occurrence and progression of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Pei
- Department of Oncology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Yuanling Luo
- Department of Oncology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Huanwen Zeng
- Department of Oncology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Muhammad Jamil
- PARC Arid Zone Research Center, Dera Ismail Khan 29050, Pakistan
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The 922 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, PLA, Hengyang 421002, China
| | - Bo Jiang
- Department of Emergency, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
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Abdolahi F, Shahraki A, Sheervalilou R, Mortazavi SS. Identification of differentially expressed genes associated with the pathogenesis of gastric cancer by bioinformatics analysis. BMC Med Genomics 2023; 16:311. [PMID: 38041130 PMCID: PMC10690994 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01720-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most diagnosed cancers worldwide. GC is a heterogeneous disease whose pathogenesis has not been entirely understood. Besides, the GC prognosis for patients remains poor. Hence, finding reliable biomarkers and therapeutic targets for GC patients is urgently needed. METHODS GSE54129 and GSE26942 datasets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Then, gene set enrichment analyses and protein-protein interactions were investigated. Afterward, ten hub genes were identified from the constructed network of DEGs. Then, the expression of hub genes in GC was validated. Performing survival analysis, the prognostic value of each hub gene in GC samples was investigated. Finally, the databases were used to predict microRNAs that could regulate the hub genes. Eventually, top miRNAs with more interactions with the list of hub genes were introduced. RESULTS In total, 203 overlapping DEGs were identified between both datasets. The main enriched KEGG pathway was "Protein digestion and absorption." The most significant identified GO terms included "primary alcohol metabolic process," "basal part of cell," and "extracellular matrix structural constituent conferring tensile strength." Identified hub modules were COL1A1, COL1A2, TIMP1, SPP1, COL5A2, THBS2, COL4A1, MUC6, CXCL8, and BGN. The overexpression of seven hub genes was associated with overall survival. Moreover, among the list of selected miRNAs, hsa-miR-27a-3, hsa-miR-941, hsa-miR-129-2-3p, and hsa-miR-1-3p, were introduced as top miRNAs targeting more than five hub genes. CONCLUSIONS The present study identified ten genes associated with GC, which may help discover novel prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets for GC. Our results may advance the understanding of GC occurrence and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Abdolahi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Ali Shahraki
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Roghayeh Sheervalilou
- Pharmacology Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
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Hou S, Zhang J, Chi X, Li X, Zhang Q, Kang C, Shan H. Roles of DSCC1 and GINS1 in gastric cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35681. [PMID: 37904396 PMCID: PMC10615490 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric carcinoma is a common malignant tumor originating from gastric mucosal epithelium. However, role of DS-cell cycle-dependent protein 1 (DSCC1) and GINS1 in gastric carcinoma remains unclear. The gastric carcinoma datasets GSE79973 and GSE118916 were downloaded from gene expression omnibus. Multiple datasets were merged and batched. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened and weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed. Functional enrichment analysis, gene set enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis were performed. Construction and analysis of protein-protein interaction Network. Survival analysis and comparative toxicogenomics database were performed. A heat map of gene expression was drawn. Target Scan screen miRNAs regulating DEGs. Two thousand forty-four DEGs were identified. According to gene ontology analysis, in biological process, they were mainly enriched in cell migration, transforming growth factor β receptor signaling pathway, angiogenesis, and steroid metabolism process. In cellular component, they were mainly enriched in extracellular vesicles, basement membrane, endoplasmic reticulum lumen, and extracellular space. In molecular function, they focused on extracellular matrix structural components, protein binding, platelet-derived growth factor binding, and catalytic activity. In Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes, they were mainly enriched in protein digestion and absorption, metabolic pathways, fatty acid degradation, Glycerophospholipid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in transforming growth factor β receptor signaling pathway, steroid metabolism process, basement membrane, endoplasmic reticulum lumen, structural components of extracellular matrix, platelet-derived growth factor binding, Glycerophospholipid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism. The results of immune infiltration analysis showed that expression of T cell CD4 memory resting was lower in the samples of gastric cancer. The core genes (TRIP13, CHEK1, DSCC1, GINS1) are protective factors, their expression shows a downward trend with increase of risk score. Comparative toxicogenomics database analysis showed that TRIP13, CHEK1, DSCC1, GINS1 were related to gastric tumors, gastric diseases, tumors, inflammation, and necrosis. DSCC1 and GINS1 are highly expressed in gastric cancer. Higher expression levels of DSCC1 and GINS1, worse the prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyang Hou
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Xixia Zhuang, Badachu, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Xixia Zhuang, Badachu, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqian Chi
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Xixia Zhuang, Badachu, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowei Li
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Xixia Zhuang, Badachu, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China
| | - Qijun Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Xixia Zhuang, Badachu, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China
| | - Chunbo Kang
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Xixia Zhuang, Badachu, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China
| | - Haifeng Shan
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Xixia Zhuang, Badachu, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China
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TWIST1-EP300 Expedites Gastric Cancer Cell Resistance to Apatinib by Activating the Expression of COL1A2. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2022; 2022:5374262. [PMID: 35242497 PMCID: PMC8888114 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5374262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between collagen type I alpha (COL1A) and chemoresistance has been verified in cancers. However, the specific role of COL1A2 in gastric cancer (GC) cell resistance to apatinib, a highly selective small-molecule inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, has not been investigated before. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential factors associated with COL1A2 regulation on GC cell apatinib resistance in vitro. With the aid of the Oncomine database and integrated bioinformatics methods, we identified COL1A2 overexpression in GC and its prognostic value. Mechanistically, the COL1A2 promoter has a distinct H3K27ac modification site and that E1A binding protein p300 (EP300) and twist family bHLH transcription factor 1 (TWIST1) can bind to the COL1A2 promoter, which in turn transcriptionally activated COL1A2 expression. In addition, overexpression of COL1A2 significantly promoted resistance to apatinib in GC cells, but knockdown of EP300 or TWIST1 remarkably inhibited COL1A2 expression and promoted sensitivity of GC cells to apatinib. Our findings demonstrated that the combination of EP300 and TWIST1 has a synergistically regulatory effect on COL1A2 expression, thus contributing to apatinib resistance in GC cells.
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Yu Y, Tang H, Franceschi D, Mujagond P, Acharya A, Deng Y, Lethaus B, Savkovic V, Zimmerer R, Ziebolz D, Li S, Schmalz G. Immune Checkpoint Gene Expression Profiling Identifies Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 Centered Immunologic Subtypes of Oral and Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Favorable Survival. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:759605. [PMID: 35127742 PMCID: PMC8810827 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.759605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to identify the programmed death ligand-1 (PDL1, also termed as CD274) and its positively correlated immune checkpoint genes (ICGs) and to determine the immune subtypes of CD274-centered ICG combinations in oral and squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and Methods Firstly, the 95 ICGs obtained via literature reviews were identified in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database in relation to OSCC, and such 88 ICG expression profiles were extracted. ICGs positively correlated with CD274 were utilized for subsequent analysis. The relationship between ICGs positively correlated with CD274 and immunotherapy biomarkers (tumor mutation burden (TMB), and adaptive immune resistance pathway genes) was investigated, and the relationships of these genes with OSCC clinical features were explored. The prognostic values of CD274 and its positively correlated ICGs and also their associated gene pairs were revealed using the survival analysis. Results Eight ICGs, including CTLA4, ICOS, TNFRSF4, CD27, B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), ADORA2A, CD40LG, and CD28, were found to be positively correlated with CD274. Among the eight ICGs, seven ICGs (CTLA4, ICOS, TNFRSF4, CD27, BTLA, CD40LG, and CD28) were significantly negatively correlated with TMB. The majority of the adaptive immune resistance pathway genes were positively correlated with ICGs positively correlated with CD274. The survival analysis utilizing the TCGA-OSCC data showed that, although CD274 was not significantly associated with overall survival (OS), the majority of ICGs positively correlated with CD274 (BTLA, CD27, CTLA4, CD40LG, CD28, ICOS, and TNFRSF4) were significantly correlated with OS, whereby their low-expression predicted a favorable prognosis. The survival analysis based on the gene pair subtypes showed that the combination subtypes of CD274_low/BTLA_low, CD274_low/CD27_low, CD274_low/CTLA4_low, CD8A_high/BTLA_low, CD8A_high/CD27_low, and CD8A_high/CTLA4_low predicted favorable OS. Conclusion The results in this study provide a theoretical basis for prognostic immune subtyping of OSCC and highlight the importance of developing future immunotherapeutic strategies for treating oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Department of Stomatology, Qunli Branch, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Yang Yu
| | - Huiwen Tang
- Department of Stomatology, Qunli Branch, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Debora Franceschi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Prabhakar Mujagond
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, India
| | - Aneesha Acharya
- Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, India
| | - Yupei Deng
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, China Tibetology Research Center, Beijing Tibetan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bernd Lethaus
- Department of Cranio Maxillofacial Surgery, University Clinic Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Vuk Savkovic
- Department of Cranio Maxillofacial Surgery, University Clinic Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Zimmerer
- Department of Cranio Maxillofacial Surgery, University Clinic Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dirk Ziebolz
- Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simin Li
- Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gerhard Schmalz
- Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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