Open AccessPrognostic significance of epigenetic regulatory gene expression in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer
Author(s) -
Zegui Tu,
Xiancheng Chen,
Tian Tian,
Chao Guo,
Meijuan Huang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
aging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 90
ISSN - 1945-4589
DOI - 10.18632/aging.202600
Subject(s) - epigenetics , lung cancer , gene , gene expression , biology , regulation of gene expression , cancer research , cancer , medicine , genetics , oncology , bioinformatics
In this study, we used public databases to investigate the prognostic significance of epigenetic regulatory gene expression in patients with non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Oncomine database analysis showed that the mRNA levels of seven epigenetic regulatory genes, UHRF1, EZH2, TTF2, SUV39H2, PCNA, WHSC1 and RAD54L , genes were significantly upregulated in NSCLC patients as compared to normal lung tissues. Functional enrichment analysis of these seven genes showed that the most enriched GO terms were DNA repair and rhythmic process, whereas, the most enriched KEGG pathway was lysine degradation pathway. The mRNA and protein expression levels of UHRF1, EZH2, TTF2, WHSC1 and RAD54L significantly correlated with tumor stage in NSCLC patients. Moreover, NSCLC patients exhibiting higher UHRF1, EZH2, WHSC1 and RAD54L mRNA and protein expression levels had poorer progression-free survival and overall survival. These findings demonstrate that UHRF1, EZH2, WHSC1 and RAD54L are potential prognostic biomarkers to distinguish high-risk from low-risk NSCLC patients.