Bioinformatics analysis combined with experiments predicts CENPK as a potential prognostic factor for lung adenocarcinoma

Jiayu Ma,Xiaochuan Chen,Yahua Wu,Jiancheng Li,Mingqiang Lin,Zhiping Wang

doi:10.1186/s12935-021-01760-y

Jiayu Ma, Xiaochuan Chen + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-021-01760-y

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Abstract

BackgroundLung cancer is the most common malignant tumor. Identification of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for lung cancer is a key research imperative. The role of centromere protein K (CENPK) in cancer is an emerging research hotspot. However, the role of CENPK in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) is not well characterized.MethodsIn this study, we identified CENPK as a potential new gene for lung cancer based on bioinformatics analysis. In addition, in vitro experiments were performed to verify the function of this gene. We investigated the expression of CENPK in LAC by analyses of datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Differential expression analyses, gene ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were conducted to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic relevance of CENPK. Then, for evaluating the biological behavior and role of CENPK in lung cancer cells, we did a series of vitro experiments, such as immunohistochemistry analysis, Western blot analysis, CCK8 assay, transwell assay, flow cytometry, and wound healing assay.ResultsWe demonstrated overexpression of CENPK in LAC; in addition, increased expression of CENPK was associated with clinical progression. Moreover, CENPK was found to be an independent risk factor in patients with LAC. Furthermore, we observed activation of CENPK-related signaling pathways in patients with LAC.ConclusionsOur findings indicate a potential role of CENPK in promoting tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. It may serve as a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in patients with LAC.

Highlights

An estimated 18.1 million new cancer cases and 9.6 million cancer-related deaths occurred in 2018
To determine the expression of centromere protein K (CENPK) in other cancers, we performed a comprehensive analysis of 33 types of tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)
In the Western-blot assay, we validated the proteins related to cell cycle pathways, we found that knockdown of CENPK was significantly related to cyclinB1 Fig. 8c, which is the critical protein in the G2 phase

Summary

Introduction

An estimated 18.1 million new cancer cases and 9.6 million cancer-related deaths occurred in 2018. Despite several advances in staging, Ma et al Cancer Cell Int (2021) 21:65 accounts for approximately 40% of all lung cancers. The currently available treatment modalities for lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and molecular targeted therapy. The advances in genetic testing have helped identify specific mutations to better target therapy [8]. Despite the use of biomarkers and immunotherapy (PD-1 and PD-L1 therapies), the average overall survival rates continue to be poor [9]. Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor. Identification of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for lung cancer is a key research imperative. The role of centromere protein K (CENPK) in cancer is an emerging research hotspot. The role of CENPK in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) is not well characterized

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