A Novel Cuproptosis-Related Signature Identified DLAT as a Prognostic Biomarker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Cuproptosis in cancer: biological implications and therapeutic opportunities

Cuproptosis, a newly identified copper (Cu)-dependent form of cell death, stands out due to its distinct mechanism that sets it apart from other known cell death pathways. The molecular underpinnings of cuproptosis involve the binding of Cu to lipoylated enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This interaction triggers enzyme aggregation and proteotoxic stress, culminating in cell death. The specific mechanism of cuproptosis has yet to be fully elucidated. This newly recognized form of cell death has sparked numerous investigations into its role in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on Cu metabolism and its link to cancer. Furthermore, we delineated the molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis and summarized the roles of cuproptosis-related genes in cancer. Finally, we offered a comprehensive discussion of the most recent advancements in Cu ionophores and nanoparticle delivery systems that utilize cuproptosis as a cutting-edge strategy for cancer treatment.

Distinct cuproptosis patterns in hepatocellular carcinoma patients correlate with unique immune microenvironment characteristics and cell-cell communication, contributing to varied overall survival outcomes

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a prevalent cancer, is linked to cuproptosis in tumor progression. However, cuproptosis's impact on HCC prognosis and its role in the tumor microenvironment remain unclear. We aimed to explore the correlation between cellular cuproptosis and the immune microenvironment in HCC, providing potential immunotherapeutic insights.

Methods

Examining cuproptosis-related genes and the immune microenvironment through consensus clustering and WGCNA. Risk models were constructed using LASSO Cox analysis and validated in an independent cohort. Gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were utilized. We scored cuproptosis expression and explored immunoinfiltration and cell-cell communication. Differential signals in T_memory cells were compared across different cuproptosis levels.

Results

Cuproptosis genes associated with fibroblast recruitment (GLS) and macrophage infiltration (FDX1). Liver cancer patients categorized into two subtypes based on cuproptosis gene expression. High expression of DLAT, GLS, and CDKN2A linked to immunosuppression (TGF-β), while high FDX1, MTF1, LIAS, and LIPT1 expression enhanced communication with non-immune cells. Developed reliable prognostic signature score and nomogram using cuproptosis-related genes. Single-cell analysis revealed differences in T_memory and TAM infiltration based on cuproptosis scores, with SPP1 and MIF as dominant signaling molecules. Finally, the results of in vitro experiments showed that when DLAT or CDKN2A was knocked down, the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells were significantly decreased.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that cuproptosis affects the immune microenvironment and cell-cell communication. Identified 9 genetic markers predicting survival outcomes and immunotherapy responses. Evaluating cuproptosis signaling can optimize immunotherapeutic strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma: classification and prognostic model based on programmed cell death genes

Instruction

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Programmed cell death (PCD) is a critical process in suppressing tumor growth, and alterations in PCD-related genes may contribute to the progression of HBV-HCC. This study aims to develop a prognostic model that incorporates genomic and clinical information based on PCD-related genes, providing novel insights into the molecular heterogeneity of HBV-HCC through bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed 139 HBV-HCC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and validated them with 30 samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Various bioinformatics tools, including differential expression analysis, gene set variation analysis, and machine learning algorithms were used for comprehensive analysis of RNA sequencing data from HBV-HCC patients. Furthermore, among the PCD-related genes, we ultimately chose DLAT for further research on tissue chips and patient cohorts. Besides, immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis were conducted.

Results

The cluster analysis identified three distinct subgroups of HBV-HCC patients. Among them, Cluster 2 demonstrated significant activation in DNA replication-related pathways and tumor-related processes. Analysis of copy number variations (CNVs) of PCD-related genes also revealed distinct patterns in the three subgroups, which may be associated with differences in pathway activation and survival outcomes. DLAT in tumor tissues of HBV-HCC patients is upregulated.

Discussion

Based on the PCD-related genes, we developed a prognostic model that incorporates genomic and clinical information and provided novel insights into the molecular heterogeneity of HBV-HCC. In our study, we emphasized the significance of PCD-related genes, particularly DLAT, which was examined in vitro to explore its potential clinical implications.

Mechanism of metal ion-induced cell death in gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is one of the most severe types of cancer, with a significant impact on human health worldwide. Due to the urgent demand for more effective therapeutic strategies against GI cancers, novel research on metal ions for treating GI cancers has attracted increasing attention. Currently, with accumulating research on the relationship between metal ions and cancer therapy, several metal ions have been discovered to induce cell death. In particular, the three novel modes of cell death, including ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and calcicoptosis, have become focal points of research in the field of cancer. Meanwhile, other metal ions have also been found to trigger cell death through various mechanisms. Accordingly, this review focuses on the mechanisms of metal ion-induced cell death in GI cancers, hoping to provide theoretical support for further GI cancer therapies.

Autoantibodies Against Dihydrolipoamide S-Acetyltransferase in Immune-Mediated Neuropathies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify disease-related autoantibodies in the serum of patients with immune-mediated neuropathies including chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with these antibodies.

METHODS

Proteins extracted from mouse brain tissue were used to react with sera from patients with CIDP by western blotting (WB) to determine the presence of common bands. Positive bands were then identified by mass spectrometry and confirmed for reactivity with patient sera using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and WB. Reactivity was further confirmed by cell-based and tissue-based indirect immunofluorescence assays. The clinical characteristics of patients with candidate autoantibody-positive CIDP were analyzed, and their association with other neurologic diseases was also investigated.

RESULTS

Screening of 78 CIDP patient sera by WB revealed a positive band around 60-70 kDa identified as dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT) by immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies' reactivity to recombinant DLAT was confirmed using ELISA and WB. A relatively high reactivity was observed in 29 of 160 (18%) patients with CIDP, followed by patients with sensory neuropathy (6/58, 10%) and patients with MS (2/47, 4%), but not in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (0/27), patients with hereditary neuropathy (0/40), and healthy controls (0/26). Both the cell-based and tissue-based assays confirmed reactivity in 26 of 33 patients with CIDP. Comparing the clinical characteristics of patients with CIDP with anti-DLAT antibodies (n = 29) with those of negative cases (n = 131), a higher percentage of patients had comorbid sensory ataxia (69% vs 37%), cranial nerve disorders (24% vs 9%), and malignancy (20% vs 5%). A high DLAT expression was observed in human autopsy dorsal root ganglia, confirming the reactivity of patient serum with mouse dorsal root ganglion cells.

DISCUSSION

Reactivity to DLAT was confirmed in patient sera, mainly in patients with CIDP. DLAT is highly expressed in the dorsal root ganglion cells, and anti-DLAT antibody may serve as a biomarker for sensory-dominant neuropathies.

METTL3 as a novel diagnosis and treatment biomarker and its association with glycolysis, cuproptosis and ceRNA in oesophageal carcinoma

METTL3 has been shown to be involved in regulating a variety of biological processes. However, the relationship between METTL3 expression and glycolysis, cuproptosis-related genes and the ceRNA network in oesophageal carcinoma (ESCA) remains unclear. ESCA expression profiles from databases were obtained, and target genes were identified using differential analysis and visualization. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining assessed METTL3 expression differences. Functional enrichment analysis using GO, KEGG and GSEA was conducted on the co-expression profile of METTL3. Cell experiments were performed to assess the effect of METTL3 interference on tumour cells. Correlation and differential analyses were carried out to assess the relationship between METTL3 with glycolysis and cuproptosis. qRT-PCR was used to validate the effects of METTL3 interference on glycolysis-related genes. Online tools were utilized to screen and construct ceRNA networks based on the ceRNA theory. METTL3 expression was significantly higher in ESCA compared to the controls. The IHC results were consistent with the above results. Enrichment analysis revealed that METTL3 is involved in multiple pathways associated with tumour development. Significant correlations were observed between METTL3 and glycolysis-related genes and cuproptosis-related gene. Experiments confirmed that interfered with METTL3 significantly inhibited glucose uptake and lactate production in tumour cells, and affected the expression of glycolytic-related genes. Finally, two potential ceRNA networks were successfully predicted and constructed. Our study establishes the association between METTL3 overexpression and ESCA progression. Additionally, we propose potential links between METTL3 and glycolysis, cuproptosis and ceRNA, presenting a novel targeted therapy strategy for ESCA.

Cuproptosis-related genes predict prognosis and trastuzumab therapeutic response in HER2-positive breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer, the HER2-positive subtype account for 15% of all breast cancer. HER2-targeted therapy is the mainstay treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer. Cuproptosis is a novel form of programmed cell death, and is caused by mitochondrial lipoylation and destabilization of iron-sulfur proteins triggered by copper, which was considered as a key player in various biological processes. However, the roles of cuproptosis-related genes in HER2-positive breast cancer remain largely unknown. In the present study, we constructed a prognostic prediction model of HER2-positive breast cancer patients using TCGA database. Dysregulated genes for cells resistant to HER2-targeted therapy were analyzed in the GEO dataset. KEGG pathway, GO enrichment and GSEA was performed respectively. The immune landscape of DLAT was analyzed by CIBERSORT algorithm and TIDE algorithm. HER2-positive breast cancer patients with high CRGs risk score showed shorter OS. DLAT was downregulated and correlated with better survival of HER2-positive breast cancer patients (HR = 3.30, p = 0.022). High expressed DLAT was associated with resistant to HER2-targeted therapy. Knocking down DLAT with siRNA increased sensitivity of breast cancer to trastuzumab. KEGG pathway and GO enrichment of DEGs indicated that DLAT participates in various pathways correlated with organelle fission, chromosome segregation, nuclear division, hormone-mediated signaling pathway, regulation of intracellular estrogen receptor signaling pathway, condensed chromosome and PPAR signaling pathway. There was a negative correlation between TIDE and DLAT expression (r = - 0.292, p < 0.001), which means high DLAT expression is an indicator of sensitivity to immunotherapy. In conclusion, our study constructed a four CRGs signature prognostic prediction model and identified DLAT as an independent prognostic factor and associated with resistant to HER2-targeted therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer patients.

Copper homeostasis and copper-induced cell death： Novel targeting for intervention in the pathogenesis of vascular aging

Copper-induced cell death, also known as cuproptosis, is distinct from other types of cell death such as apoptosis, necrosis, and ferroptosis. It can trigger the accumulation of lethal reactive oxygen species, leading to the onset and progression of aging. The significant increases in copper ion levels in the aging populations confirm a close relationship between copper homeostasis and vascular aging. On the other hand, vascular aging is also closely related to the occurrence of various cardiovascular diseases throughout the aging process. However, the specific causes of vascular aging are not clear, and different living environments and stress patterns can lead to individualized vascular aging. By exploring the correlations between copper-induced cell death and vascular aging, we can gain a novel perspective on the pathogenesis of vascular aging and enhance the prognosis of atherosclerosis. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the impacts of copper homeostasis on vascular aging, including their effects on endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, oxidative stress, ferroptosis, intestinal flora, and other related factors. Furthermore, we intend to discuss potential strategies involving cuproptosis and provide new insights for copper-related vascular aging.

Cuproptosis-related molecular patterns and gene (ATP7A) in hepatocellular carcinoma and their relationships with tumor immune microenvironment and clinical features

BACKGROUND

Cuproptosis has been studied in various aspects as a new form of cell death.

AIMS

We hope to explore the molecular patterns and genes related to cuproptosis in evaluating and predicting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as the impact of tumor immune microenvironment.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sixteen cuproptosis related gene (CRGs) and cuproptosis related molecular and gene characteristics were comprehensively analyzed from 492 HCC samples. Cuproptosis related molecular patterns were generated by consensus clustering algorithm, including cuproptosis clusters, cuproptosis gene clusters (CGC) and cuproptosis score (CS). The characteristics of tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor immune cells were described by the ssGSEA and ESTIMATE algorithms. Cuproptosis score was established to assess the clinical characteristics, prognostic and immunotherapy. The role and mechanism of CRG (ATP7A) in HCC, as well as its relationship with TME and immune checkpoints, have been further explored. The results of somatic mutation, copy number variations (CNV), and CRGs expression in HCC suggested the CRGs might participate in the HCC oncogenesis. The cuproptosis clusters were closely related to the clinical pathological characteristics, biological processes, and prognosis of HCC. The three CGC was revealed to be consistent with the three immune infiltration characterizations, including immune-high, immune-mid, and immune-low subtypes. Higher CS was characterized by decreased TMB, activated immunity, higher immune cell proportion score (IPS) and better overall survival (OS), which indicated higher CS was immune-high type and with better treatment effect and prognosis. The ATP7A had the highest hazard ratio (HR = 1.465, p < .001), was high expression in HCC tissues and with a shorter 5-year OS. Knocking down ATP7A could enhance intracellular copper concentration, cause a decrease in DLAT expression, and induce cuproptosis and inhibit cell proliferation and migration. ATP7A was also positively correlated with most cancer immune cells and immune checkpoints.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, this research revealed the cuproptosis related molecular patterns and genes associated with the clinical pathological characteristics, TME phenotype and prognosis of HCC. The CS will further deepen our understanding of the TME characteristics of HCC, and the involvement of ATP7A in cuproptosis will provide new ideas for predicting HCC prognosis and immunotherapy.

MELK promotes HCC carcinogenesis through modulating cuproptosis-related gene DLAT-mediated mitochondrial function

Cuproptosis caused by copper overload is mediated by a novel regulatory mechanism that differs from previously documented mechanisms regulating cell death. Cells dependent on mitochondrial respiration showed increased sensitivity to a copper ionophore elesclomol that induced cuproptosis. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase(MELK) promotes tumorigenesis and tumor progression through the PI3K/mTOR pathway, which exerts its effects partly by targeting the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex(PDHc) and reprogramming the morphology and function of mitochondria. However, the role of MELK in cuproptosis remains unclear. Here, we validated that elevated MELK expression enhanced the activity of PI3K/mTOR signaling and subsequently promoted Dihydrolipoamide S-Acetyltransferase (DLAT) expression and stabilized mitochondrial function. This regulatory effect helped to improve mitochondrial respiration, eliminate excessive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduce intracellular oxidative stress/damage and the possibility of mitochondria-induced cell fate alternations, and ultimately promote the progression of HCC. Meanwhile, elesclomol reduced translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20(TOM 20) expression and increased DLAT oligomers. Moreover, the above changes of MELK to HCC were abolished by elesclomol. In conclusion, MELK enhanced the levels of the cuproptosis-related signature(CRS) gene DLAT (especially the proportion of DLAT monomer) by activating the PI3K/mTOR pathway, thereby promoting elesclomol drug resistance, altering mitochondrial function, and ultimately promoting HCC progression.

Cuproptosis-related gene DLAT serves as a prognostic biomarker for immunotherapy in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: multi-database and experimental verification

OBJECTIVE

Renal clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common type of renal cancer. Here we aim to explore the prognosis and immunotherapeutic value of copper death-related gene Dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT) in ccRCC.

METHODS

The mRNA and protein expressions and methylation level of DLAT, as well as the relation of DLAT to survival prognosis, clinical characteristics, biological function, and immune microenvironment and responses in patients with ccRCC were evaluated using multiple databases. In addition, 75 paired ccRCC tissue samples and 3 kinds of cell lines were tested for experimental validation.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics analysis of multiple databases, qRT-PCR, and western blot verified that DLAT expression in ccRCC was lower than that in paracancerous tissues. Patients with low expression of DLAT had a lower survival rate, worse clinical prognosis, stronger immune cell infiltration and expression of immunosuppressive points, and higher tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) scores.

CONCLUSIONS

DLAT was identified as an independent prognostic factor in ccRCC and was closely related to the prognosis and immune responses of patients with ccRCC.

Cuproptosis and cuproptosis-related genes: Emerging potential therapeutic targets in breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women worldwide, and thus, it is important to enhance its treatment efficacy [1]. Copper has emerged as a critical trace element that affects various intracellular signaling pathways, gene expression, and biological metabolic processes [2], thereby playing a crucial role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Recent studies have identified cuproptosis, a newly discovered type of cell death, as an emerging therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment, thereby offering new hope for breast cancer patients. Tsvetkov's research has elucidated the mechanism of cuproptosis and uncovered the critical genes involved in its regulation [3]. Manipulating the expression of these genes could potentially serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for breast cancer treatment. Additionally, using copper ionophores and copper complexes combined with nanomaterials to induce cuproptosis may provide a potential approach to eliminating drug-resistant breast cancer cells, thus improving the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy and eventually eradicating breast tumors. This review aims to highlight the practical significance of cuproptosis-related genes and the induction of cuproptosis in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. We examine the potential of cuproptosis as a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer, and we explore the present challenges and limitations of this approach. Our objective is to provide innovative ideas and references for the development of breast cancer treatment strategies based on cuproptosis.

DLAT is a promising prognostic marker and therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma: a comprehensive study based on public databases

Cuproptosis is a new mechanism of cell death that differs from previously identified regulatory cell death mechanisms. Cuproptosis induction holds promise as a new tumour treatment. Therefore, we investigated the value of cuproptosis-related genes in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The cuproptosis-related gene Dihydrolipoamide S-Acetyltransferase (DLAT) were significantly upregulated in liver cancer tissues. High levels of DLAT were an independent prognostic factor for shorter overallsurvival (OS) time. DLAT and its related genes were mainly involved in cell metabolism, tumor progression and immune regulation. DLAT was significantly associated with the level of immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoints in HCC. HCC with high DLAT expression was predicted to be more sensitive to sorafenib treatment. The risk prognostic signature established based on DLAT and its related genes had a good prognostic value. The cuproptosis-related gene DLAT is a promising independent prognostic marker and therapeutic target in HCC. The new prognostic signature can effectively predict the prognosis of HCC patients.

Comprehensive analysis identifies cuproptosis-related gene DLAT as a potential prognostic and immunological biomarker in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Cuproptosis is a regulated cell death form associated with tumor progression, clinical outcomes, and immune response. However, the role of cuproptosis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the implications of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in PAAD by integrated bioinformatic methods and clinical validation.

METHODS

Gene expression data and clinical information were downloaded from UCSC Xena platform. We analyzed the expression, mutation, methylation, and correlations of CRGs in PAAD. Then, based on the expression profiles of CRGs, patients were divided into 3 groups by consensus clustering algorithm. Dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (DLAT) was chosen for further exploration, including prognostic analysis, co-expression analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and immune landscape analysis. The DLAT-based risk model was established by Cox and LASSO regression analysis in the training cohort, and then verified in the validation cohort. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were performed to examine the expression levels of DLAT in vitro and in vivo, respectively.

RESULTS

Most CRGs were highly expressed in PAAD. Among these genes, increased DLAT could serve as an independent risk factor for survival. Co-expression network and functional enrichment analysis indicated that DLAT was engaged in multiple tumor-related pathways. Moreover, DLAT expression was positively correlated with diverse immunological characteristics, such as immune cell infiltration, cancer-immunity cycle, immunotherapy-predicted pathways, and inhibitory immune checkpoints. Submap analysis demonstrated that DLAT-high patients were more responsive to immunotherapeutic agents. Notably, the DLAT-based risk score model possessed high accuracy in predicting prognosis. Finally, the upregulated expression of DLAT was verified by RT-qPCR and IHC assays.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a DLAT-based model to predict patients' clinical outcomes and demonstrated that DLAT was a promising prognostic and immunological biomarker in PAAD, thereby providing a new possibility for tumor therapy.

FNBP4 is a Potential Biomarker Associated with Cuproptosis and Promotes Tumor Progression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors that lacks an efficient therapeutic approach because of its elusive molecular mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the biological function and potential mechanism of formin-binding protein 4 (FNBP4) in HCC.

Methods

FNBP4 expression in tissues and cells were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT‒PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to explore the correlation between the FNBP4 expression and clinical survival. MTT, EdU incorporation, colony formation, and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate the function of FNBP4 in cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was used to explore the potential mechanism of FNBP4. The prognostic risk signature and nomogram were constructed to demonstrate the prognostic value of FNBP4.

Results

We found that FNBP4 was upregulated in patients with HCC and associated with poor overall survival (OS). Furthermore, knockdown of FNBP4 inhibited the proliferation and migration in HCC cells. Then, we performed a KEGG pathway analysis of the coexpressed genes associated with FNBP4 and found that FNBP4 may be associated with tumor-related signaling pathways and cuproptosis. We verified that FNBP4 could cause cell cycle progression and inactivation of the hippo signaling pathway. A prognostic risk signature containing three FNBP4-related differentially expressed cuproptosis regulators (DECRs) was established and can be used as an independent risk factor to evaluate the prognosis of patients with HCC. In addition, a nomogram including a risk score and clinicopathological factors was used to predict patient survival probabilities.

Conclusion

FNBP4, as a potential biomarker associated with cuproptosis, promotes HCC cell proliferation and metastasis. We provide a new potential strategy for HCC treatment by targeting FNBP4.

Roles of cuproptosis-related gene DLAT in various cancers: a bioinformatic analysis and preliminary verification on pro-survival autophagy

Background

Studies have shown that the expressions and working mechanisms of Dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT) in different cancers vary. It is necessary to analyze the expressions and regulatory roles of DLAT in tumors systematically.

Methods

Online public-platform literature on the relationships between DLAT expression levels and tumor prognosis, methylation status, genetic alteration, drug sensitivity, and immune infiltration has been reviewed. The literature includes such documents as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Human Protein Atlas (HPA), Tumor Immune Estimation Resource 2.0 (TIMER2.0), Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2) and Receiver Operating Characteristic plotter (ROC plotter). The molecular mechanisms of DLAT were explored with the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The relationship between down-regulated DLAT and autophagy in two liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) cell lines was confirmed with the western blot method, colony formation assay, and transmission electron microscopy. Tissue microarrays were validated through the immunohistochemical staining of DLAT.

Results

DLAT is upregulated in the LIHC, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), and stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) tumors but is down-regulated in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) tumors in comparison with normal tissues. For LIHC patients treated with 5-Fluorouracil and Lenvatinib, the DLAT levels of those in the drug-resistant group are significantly high. In LIHC cells, autophagy will be inhibited, and cell death will be induced when DLAT breaks down. Moreover, there exist positive correlations between DLAT expression levels and infiltration of B cells, DC cells, Tregs, and CD8+ T cells in kidney chromophobe (KICH), breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA), prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD), LIHC and HPV+ HNSC. In LIHC, markers of Tregs are positively correlated with DLAT. Compared with those of normal tissues, the staining intensity of DLAT and the amount of Tregs marker CD49d in LIHC increase.

Conclusions

Through this study, the expressions of DLAT in various cancer types can be understood comprehensively. It suggests that DLAT may be a prognostic marker for LIHC, LUAD, LUSC, STAD and KIRC. A high DLAT expression in LIHC may promote tumorigenesis by stimulating autophagy and inhibiting anti-tumor immunity.