Combining Bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq data to identify RNA m5C methyltransferases NSUN1: a rising star as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and therapy

Nuclear protein NOP2 serves as a poor-prognosis predictor of LUAD and aggravates the malignancy of lung adenocarcinoma cells

Recent studies have shown that NOP2, a nucleolar protein, is up-regulated in various cancers, suggesting a potential link to tumor aggressiveness and unfavorable outcomes. This study examines NOP2's role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), a context where its implications remain unclear. Utilizing bioinformatics, we assessed 513 LUAD and 59 normal tissue samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to explore NOP2's diagnostic and prognostic significance in LUAD. Additionally, in vitro experiments compared NOP2 expression between Beas-2b and A549 cells. Advanced databases and analytical tools, including LINKEDOMICS, STRING, and TISIDB, were employed to further elucidate NOP2's association with LUAD. Our findings indicate a significantly higher expression of NOP2 mRNA and protein in A549 cells compared to Beas-2b cells (P < 0.001). In LUAD, elevated NOP2 levels were linked to decreased Overall Survival (OS) and advanced clinical stages. Univariate Cox analysis revealed that high NOP2 expression correlated with poorer OS in LUAD (P < 0.01), a finding independently supported by multivariate Cox analysis (P < 0.05). The relationship between NOP2 expression and LUAD risk was presented via a Nomogram. Additionally, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) identified seven NOP2-related signaling pathways. A focal point of our research was the interplay between NOP2 and tumor-immune interactions. Notably, a negative correlation was observed between NOP2 expression and the immune infiltration levels of macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, Natural Killer (NK) cells, and CD8 + T cells in LUAD. Moreover, the expression of NOP2 was related to the sensitivity of various chemotherapeutic drugs. In vitro, we found that downregulating NOP2 can decrease the proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 cells. Furthermore, NOP2 can regulate Caspase3-mediated apoptosis. Collectively, particularly regarding prognosis, immune infiltration and vitro experiments, these findings suggest NOP2's potential of serving as a poor-prognostic biomarker for LUAD and aggravating the malignancy of lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Deciphering the vital roles and mechanism of m5C modification on RNA in cancers

5-methylcytosine (m5C modification) plays an essential role in tumors, which affects different types of RNA, the expression of downstream target genes, and downstream pathways, thus participating in the tumor process. However, the effect of m5C modification on RNA in tumors and the exact mechanism have not been systematically reviewed. Therefore, we reviewed the status and sites of m5C modification, as well as the expression pattern and biological functions of m5C regulators in tumors, and further summarized the effects and regulation mechanism of m5C modification on messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and other RNA in tumors. Finally, we summed up the interaction network, potential application, and value in clinical diagnosis and treatment of tumors. Taken together, this review benefits revealing the mechanism of m5C modification in tumor progression and provides new strategies for tumor diagnosis and treatment.