A bioinformatics study of autophagy biomarkers associated with the prognosis of endometrial carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Liu ◽  
Rui Sun ◽  
Yixuan Bai ◽  
Yunkai Xie ◽  
Changzhong Li

Abstract Background: Autophagy plays a critical role in endometrial carcinoma (EC), but prognosis studies of differentially expressed autophagy-related genes (DEARGs) in EC are lacking. This study aimed to access the prognostic value of autophagy-related genes (ARGs) in EC and to identify the potential characteristics of ARGs in predicting patient survival and guiding treatment.Methods: The RNA-Seq data and clinical data were obtained from TCGA databases. The DEARGs were identified by “limma” package in R software. Clusterprofler was used for functional analysis. Using STRING databases to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and plug-in MCODE to screen hub modules in Cytoscape. The degrees method of cytoHubba was used to select important hub genes. Co-expression analysis was performed using “limma” package and Metascape for functional analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to construct a prognostic signature. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis, ROC curve analysis and Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were also performed. Validation was executed by UALCAN, CCLE and HPA databases.Results: In total, 45 DEARGs were identified. Functional analysis showed that DEARGs were strikingly enriched in autophagy pathway. PPI network showed that CASP3 was the most central protein. CASP3 co-expression analysis revealed that co-expressed genes were mostly enriched in cell cycle. We identified a novel prognostic signature consisting of 3 genes (CDKN2A, PTK6 and GRID2). The risk score based on the prognostic signature was able to classify patients into high-risk and low-risk groups with significantly different overall survival. Furthermore, the prognostic signature is an independent prognostic predictor of survival and demonstrates superior prognostic performance compared with the clinicopathologic features for predicting 5-year survival. CDKN2A and PTK6 were further validated in UALCAN. GSEA suggested that the two genes played crucial roles in drug metabolism.Conclusion: Using bioinformatics analyses, we identified DEARGs and determined CDKN2A, PTK6 and DRID2 are tumor-associated genes and can be utilized as possible biomarkers in EC treatment.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinping Jiang ◽  
Ying Cao ◽  
Feng Gao ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
Jinhui Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is an important cause of death in women. This study sought to investigate the potential mechanism and prognostic genes of CC. Methods: We downloaded four gene expression profiles from GEO. The RRA method was used to integrate and screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CC and normal samples. Functional analysis was performed by clusterprofiler. We built PPI network by Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes Database (STRING) and selected hub modules via Molecular COmplex Detection (MCODE). CMap database was used to find molecules with therapeutic potential for CC. The hub genes were validated in GEO datasets, Gene Expession Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), immunohistochemistry, Cox regression analysis, TCGA methylation analysis and ONCOMINE were carried out. ROC curve analysis and GSEA were also performed to describe the prognostic significance of hub genes.Results: Functional analysis revealed that 147 DEGs were significantly enriched in binding, cell proliferation, transcriptional activity and cell cycle regulation. PPI network screened 30 hub genes, with CDK1 having the strongest connectivity with CC. Cmap showed that apigenin, thioguanine and trichostatin A might be used to treat CC(P<0.05). Eight genes (APOD, CXCL8, MMP1, MMP3, PLOD2, PTGDS, SNX10 and SPP1) were screened out through GEPIA. Of them, only PTGDS and SNX10 had not appeared in previous studies about CC. The validation in GEO showed that PTGDS showed low expression in tumor tissues while SNX10 showed high expression in tumor tissues. Their expression profiles were consistent with the results in immunohistochemistry. ROC curve analysis indicated that the model had a good diagnostic efficiency(AUC= 0.738). GSEA showed that the two genes were associated with the chemokine signaling pathway(P<0.05). TCGA methylation analysis showed that patients with lowly-expressed and highly-methylated PTGDS had a worse prognosis than those with highly-expressed and lowly-methylated PTGDS (p=0.037). Cox regression analysis showed that SNX10 (P=0.007;HR=1.424;95%CI:1.103-1.838) and PTGDS (P=0.003;HR=0.802;95%CI:0.693-0.928) were independent prognostic indicators for OS among CC patients. Conclusions: PTGDS and SNX10 showed abnormal expression and methylation in CC. Both genes might have high prognostic value of CC patients..


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinping Jiang ◽  
Ying Cao ◽  
Feng Gao ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
Jinhui Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is the primary cause of death in women. This study sought to investigate the potential mechanism and prognostic genes of CC. Methods: We downloaded four gene expression profiles from GEO. The RRA method was used to integrate and screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CC and normal samples. Functional analysis was performed by clusterprofiler. We built PPI network by Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes Database (STRING) and selected hub modules via Molecular COmplex Detection (MCODE). CMap database was used to find molecules with therapeutic potential for CC. The hub genes were validated in GEO datasets, Gene Expession Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), immunohistochemistry, Cox regression analysis, TCGA methylation analysis and ONCOMINE were carried out. ROC curve analysis and GSEA were also performed to describe the prognostic significance of hub genes. Results: Functional analysis revealed that 147 DEGs were significantly enriched in binding, cell proliferation, transcriptional activity and cell cycle regulation. PPI network screened 30 hub genes, with CDK1 having the strongest connectivity with CC. Cmap showed that apigenin, thioguanine and trichostatin A might be used to treat CC(P<0.05). Eight genes (APOD, CXCL8, MMP1, MMP3, PLOD2, PTGDS, SNX10 and SPP1) were screened out through GEPIA. Of them, only PTGDS and SNX10 had not appeared in previous studies about CC. The validation in GEO showed that PTGDS showed low expression in tumor tissues while SNX10 showed high expression in tumor tissues. Their expression profiles were consistent with the results in immunohistochemistry. ROC curve analysis indicated that the model had a good diagnostic efficiency(AUC=0.738). GSEA showed that the two genes were associated with the chemokine signaling pathway(P<0.05). TCGA methylation analysis showed that patients with lowly-expressed and highly-methylated PTGDS had a worse prognosis than those with highly-expressed and lowly-methylated PTGDS (p=0.037). Cox regression analysis showed that SNX10 and PTGDS were independent prognostic indicators for OS among CC patients(P=0.007 and 0.003). Conclusions: PTGDS and SNX10 showed abnormal expression and methylation in CC. Both genes might have high prognostic value of CC patients.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinping Jiang ◽  
Ying Cao ◽  
Feng Gao ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
Jinhui Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is the primary cause of death in women. This study sought to investigate the potential mechanism and prognostic genes of CC. Methods: We downloaded four gene expression profiles from GEO. The RRA method was used to integrate and screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CC and normal samples. Functional analysis was performed by clusterprofiler. We built PPI network by Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes Database (STRING) and selected hub modules via Molecular COmplex Detection (MCODE). CMap database was used to find molecules with therapeutic potential for CC. The hub genes were validated in GEO datasets, Gene Expession Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), immunohistochemistry, Cox regression analysis, TCGA methylation analysis and ONCOMINE were carried out. ROC curve analysis and GSEA were also performed to describe the prognostic significance of hub genes. Results: Functional analysis revealed that 147 DEGs were significantly enriched in binding, cell proliferation, transcriptional activity and cell cycle regulation. PPI network screened 30 hub genes, with CDK1 having the strongest connectivity with CC. Cmap showed that apigenin, thioguanine and trichostatin A might be used to treat CC(P<0.05). Eight genes (APOD, CXCL8, MMP1, MMP3, PLOD2, PTGDS, SNX10 and SPP1) were screened out through GEPIA. Of them, only PTGDS and SNX10 had not appeared in previous studies about CC. The validation in GEO showed that PTGDS showed low expression in tumor tissues while SNX10 showed high expression in tumor tissues. Their expression profiles were consistent with the results in immunohistochemistry. ROC curve analysis indicated that the model had a good diagnostic efficiency(AUC= 0.738). GSEA showed that the two genes were associated with the chemokine signaling pathway(P<0.05). TCGA methylation analysis showed that patients with lowly-expressed and highly-methylated PTGDS had a worse prognosis than those with highly-expressed and lowly-methylated PTGDS (p=0.037). Cox regression analysis showed that SNX10 and PTGDS were independent prognostic indicators for OS among CC patients(P=0.007 and 0.003). Conclusions: PTGDS and SNX10 showed abnormal expression and methylation in CC. Both genes might have high prognostic value of CC patients..


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinping Jiang ◽  
Ying Cao ◽  
Feng Gao ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
Jinhui Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cervical cancer (CC) is the primary cause of death in women. This study sought to investigate the potential mechanism and prognostic genes of CC. Methods We downloaded four gene expression profiles from GEO. The RRA method was used to integrate and screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CC and normal samples. Functional analysis was performed by clusterprofiler. We built PPI network by Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes Database (STRING) and selected hub modules via Molecular COmplex Detection (MCODE). CMap database was used to find molecules with therapeutic potential for CC. The hub genes were validated in GEO datasets, Gene Expession Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), immunohistochemistry, Cox regression analysis, TCGA methylation analysis and ONCOMINE were carried out. ROC curve analysis and GSEA were also performed to describe the prognostic significance of hub genes. Results Functional analysis revealed that 147 DEGs were significantly enriched in binding, cell proliferation, transcriptional activity and cell cycle regulation. PPI network screened 30 hub genes, with CDK1 having the strongest connectivity with CC. Cmap showed that apigenin, thioguanine and trichostatin A might be used to treat CC(P < 0.05). Eight genes (APOD, CXCL8, MMP1, MMP3, PLOD2, PTGDS, SNX10 and SPP1) were screened out through GEPIA. Of them, only PTGDS and SNX10 had not appeared in previous studies about CC. The validation in GEO showed that PTGDS showed low expression while SNX10 presented high expression in tumor tissues. Their expression profiles were consistent with the results in immunohistochemistry. ROC curve analysis indicated that the model had a good diagnostic efficiency (AUC = 0.738). GSEA analysis demonstrated that the two genes were correlated with the chemokine signaling pathway (P < 0.05). TCGA methylation analysis showed that patients with lowly-expressed and highly-methylated PTGDS had a worse prognosis than those with highly-expressed and lowly-methylated PTGDS (p = 0.037). Cox regression analysis showed that SNX10 and PTGDS were independent prognostic indicators for OS among CC patients (P = 0.007 and 0.003). Conclusions PTGDS and SNX10 showed abnormal expression and methylation in CC. Both genes might have high prognostic value of CC patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawei Wang ◽  
Shiguang Liu ◽  
Guangxin Wang

BackgroundLow-grade glioma (LGG) is a heterogeneous tumor that might develop into high-grade malignant glioma, which markedly reduces patient survival time. Endocytosis is a cellular process responsible for the internalization of cell surface proteins or external materials into the cytosol. Dysregulated endocytic pathways have been linked to all steps of oncogenesis, from initial transformation to late invasion and metastasis. However, endocytosis-related gene (ERG) signatures have not been used to study the correlations between endocytosis and prognosis in cancer. Therefore, it is essential to develop a prognostic model for LGG based on the expression profiles of ERGs.MethodsThe Cancer Genome Atlas and the Genotype-Tissue Expression database were used to identify differentially expressed ERGs in LGG patients. Gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and Gene set enrichment analysis methodologies were adopted for functional analysis. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and hub genes were identified based on the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Proteins database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to develop an ERG signature to predict the overall survival (OS) of LGG patients. Finally, the association between the ERG signature and gene mutation status was further analyzed.ResultsSixty-two ERGs showed distinct mRNA expression patterns between normal brain tissues and LGG tissues. Functional analysis indicated that these ERGs were strikingly enriched in endosomal trafficking pathways. The PPI network indicated that EGFR was the most central protein. We then built a 29-gene signature, dividing patients into high-risk and low-risk groups with significantly different OS times. The prognostic performance of the 29-gene signature was validated in another LGG cohort. Additionally, we found that the mutation scores calculated based on the TTN, PIK3CA, NF1, and IDH1 mutation status were significantly correlated with the endocytosis-related prognostic signature. Finally, a clinical nomogram with a concordance index of 0.881 predicted the survival probability of LGG patients by integrating clinicopathologic features and ERG signatures.ConclusionOur ERG-based prediction models could serve as an independent prognostic tool to accurately predict the outcomes of LGG.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harish Joshi ◽  
Basavaraj Vastrad ◽  
Nidhi Joshi ◽  
Anandkumar Tengli ◽  
Chanabasayya Vastrad ◽  
...  

Abstract The underlying molecular mechanisms of diabetic nephropathy (DN) have yet not been investigated clearly. In this investigation, we aimed to identify key genes involved in the pathogenesis and prognosis of DN. We selected expression profiling by high throughput sequencing dataset GSE142025 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between DN and normal control samples were analyzed with limma package. Gene ontology (GO) and REACTOME enrichment analysis were performed using ToppGene. Then we established the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, miRNA-DEG regulatory network and TF-DEG regulatory network. The diagnostic values of hub genes were performed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Finally, the candidate small molecules as potential drugs to treat DM were predicted using molecular docking studies. Through expression profiling by high throughput sequencing dataset, a total of 549 DEGs were detected including 275 up regulated and 274 down regulated genes. Biological process analysis of functional enrichment showed these DEGs were mainly enriched in cell activation, response to hormone, cell surface, integral component of plasma membrane, signaling receptor binding, lipid binding, immunoregulatory interactions between a lymphoid and a non-lymphoid cell and biological oxidations. DEGs with high degree of connectivity (MDFI, LCK, BTK, IRF4, PRKCB, EGR1, JUN, FOS, ALB and NR4A1) were selected as hub genes from protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, miRNA-DEG regulatory network and TF-DEG regulatory network. The ROC curve analysis confirmed that hub genes were high diagnostic values. Finally, the significant small molecules were obtained based on molecular docking studies. Our results indicated that MDFI, LCK, BTK, IRF4, PRKCB, EGR1, JUN, FOS, ALB and NR4A1 could be the potential novel biomarkers for GC diagnosis prognosis and the promising therapeutic targets. The present study may be crucial to understanding the molecular mechanism of DN initiation and progression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenming Zheng ◽  
Cong Lai ◽  
Wenshuang Li ◽  
Caixia Zhang ◽  
Kaiqun Ma ◽  
...  

BackgroundBoth lncRNAs and glycolysis are considered to be key influencing factors in the progression of bladder cancer (BCa). Studies have shown that glycolysis-related lncRNAs are an important factor affecting the overall survival and prognosis of patients with bladder cancer. In this study, a prognostic model of BCa patients was constructed based on glycolysis-related lncRNAs to provide a point of reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions.MethodsThe transcriptome, clinical data, and glycolysis-related pathway gene sets of BCa patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) official website. Next, differentially expressed glycolysis-related lncRNAs were screened out, glycolysis-related lncRNAs with prognostic significance were identified through LASSO regression analysis, and a risk scoring model was constructed through multivariate Cox regression analysis. Then, based on the median of the risk scores, all BCa patients were divided into either a high-risk or low-risk group. Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to evaluate the predictive power of the model. A nomogram prognostic model was then constructed based on clinical indicators and risk scores. A calibration chart, clinical decision curve, and ROC curve analysis were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the model, and the risk score of the prognostic model was verified using the TCGA data set. Finally, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed on glycolysis-related lncRNAs.ResultsA total of 59 differentially expressed glycolysis-related lncRNAs were obtained from 411 bladder tumor tissues and 19 pericarcinomatous tissues, and 9 of those glycolysis-related lncRNAs (AC099850.3, AL589843.1, MAFG-DT, AC011503.2, NR2F1-AS1, AC078778.1, ZNF667-AS1, MNX1-AS1, and AC105942.1) were found to have prognostic significance. A signature was then constructed for predicting survival in BCa based on those 9 glycolysis-related lncRNAs. ROC curve analysis and a nomogram verified the accuracy of the signature.ConclusionThrough this study, a novel prognostic prediction model for BCa was established based on 9 glycolysis-related lncRNAs that could effectively distinguish high-risk and low-risk BCa patients, and also provide a new point of reference for clinicians to make individualized treatment and review plans for patients with different levels of risk.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
He Huang ◽  
Shilei Xu ◽  
Aidong Chen ◽  
Fen Li ◽  
Jiezhong Wu ◽  
...  

Background. Although accumulating evidence suggested that a molecular signature panel may be more effective for the prognosis prediction than routine clinical characteristics, current studies mainly focused on colorectal or colon cancers. No reports specifically focused on the signature panel for rectal cancers (RC). Our present study was aimed at developing a novel prognostic signature panel for RC. Methods. Sequencing (or microarray) data and clinicopathological details of patients with RC were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-READ) or the Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE123390, GSE56699) database. A weighted gene coexpression network was used to identify RC-related modules. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis was performed to screen the prognostic signature panel. The prognostic performance of the risk score was evaluated by survival curve analyses. Functions of prognostic genes were predicted based on the interaction proteins and the correlation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells. The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) tool was utilized to validate the protein expression levels. Results. A total of 247 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were commonly identified using TCGA and GSE123390 datasets. Brown and yellow modules (including 77 DEGs) were identified to be preserved for RC. Five DEGs (ASB2, GPR15, PRPH, RNASE7, and TCL1A) in these two modules constituted the optimal prognosis signature panel. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that patients in the high-risk group had a poorer prognosis than those in the low-risk group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that this risk score had high predictive accuracy for unfavorable prognosis, with the area under the ROC curve of 0.915 and 0.827 for TCGA and GSE56699 datasets, respectively. This five-mRNA classifier was an independent prognostic factor. Its predictive accuracy was also higher than all clinical factor models. A prognostic nomogram was developed by integrating the risk score and clinical factors, which showed the highest prognostic power. ASB2, PRPH, and GPR15/TCL1A were predicted to function by interacting with CASQ2/PDK4/EPHA67, PTN, and CXCL12, respectively. TCL1A and GPR15 influenced the infiltration levels of B cells and dendritic cells, while the expression of PRPH was positively associated with the abundance of macrophages. HPA analysis supported the downregulation of PRPH, RNASE7, CASQ2, EPHA6, and PDK4 in RC compared with normal controls. Conclusion. Our immune-related signature panel may be a promising prognostic indicator for RC.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cong Lai ◽  
Zhenyu Wu ◽  
Zhuohang Li ◽  
Hao Yu ◽  
Kuiqing Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Bladder cancer is the second most common malignant tumor in urogenital system. The research aimed to investigate the prognostic role of immune-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in bladder cancer. Methods: We extracted 411 bladder cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis was employed to assess the immune cell infiltration of these samples. We recognized differentially expressed lncRNAs between tumors and paracancerous tissues, and differentially expressed lncRNAs between the high and low immune cell infiltration groups. Venn diagram analysis detected differentially expressed lncRNAs that intersected the above groups. LncRNAs with prognostic significance were identified by regression analysis and survival analysis. Multivariate Cox analysis was used to establish the risk score model. The nomogram was established and evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, concordance index (C-index) analysis, calibration chart, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Additionally, we performed gene set enrichment analysis to explore the potential functions of the screened lncRNAs in tumor pathogenesis.Results: Three hundred and twenty differentially expressed lncRNAs were recognized. We randomly divided patients into the training data set and the testing data set at a 2: 1 ratio. In the training data set, 9 immune-related lncRNAs with prognostic significance were identified. The risk score model was constructed to classify patients as high- and low-risk cohorts. Patients in the low-risk cohort had better survival outcomes than those in the high-risk cohort. The nomogram was established based on the indicators including age, gender, TNM stage, and risk score. The model’s predictive performance was confirmed by ROC curve analysis, C-index analysis, calibration chart, and DCA. The testing data set also achieved similar results. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the 9-lncRNA signature was involved in modulation of various immune responses, antigen processing and presentation, and T cell receptor signaling pathway.Conclusions: The immune-related lncRNAs have the potential to predict the prognosis of bladder cancer and may play a key role in bladder cancer biology.Trial registration: It was a retrospective study and the gene expression data were obtained from the TCGA database. Trial registration was not needed.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoying Li ◽  
Feng Jin ◽  
Yang Li

Abstract Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as crucial regulators to the development of breast cancer and are involved in controlling autophagy. LncRNAs are also widely known as valuable prognostic factors for breast cancer patients. It is critical to identify autophagy-related lncRNAs with prognostic value in breast cancer. Methods: A coexpression network of autophagy-related mRNAs-lncRNAs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was constructed. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to identify an autophagy risk model with prognostic value. Kaplan-Meier analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox regressionanalyses and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to validate the risk model. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) functional annotation were conducted to analyze the risk model.Results: In this study, autophagy-related lncRNAs in breast cancer were identified. We evaluated the prognostic value of these autophagy-related lncRNAs and eventually obtained a prognostic risk model consisting of 11 autophagy-related lncRNAs (U62317.4, LINC01016, LINC02166, C6orf99, LINC00992, BAIAP2-DT, AC245297.3, AC090912.1, Z68871.1, LINC00578 and LINC01871). The risk model was further verified as a novel independent prognostic factor for breast cancer patients based on the calculated risk score. Moreover, based on the risk model, the low risk and high risk groups displayed different autophagy and oncogenic statues. Conclusions: These findings suggested that the risk model of the 11 autophagy-related lncRNAs has significant prognostic value for breast cancer and might be a promising prognostic signature and therapeutic targets in clinical practice.


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