Bioinformatics analysis of potential hub genes associated with biological characteristics and survival in patients with gastric cancer*

Abstract

Abstract Objective Gastric cancer (GC) is a serious threat to human health. In this study, we aimed to explore the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and identify potential targets for the treatment of GC. Methods The gene expression profile of GSE79973 which compared tissue samples from gastric cancer patients and healthy individuals, downloaded from the GEO database, was submitted to the GCBI online analysis platform to screen for DEGs. Gene ontology (GO) analysis, pathway analysis, and construction of networks, including gene signal and gene co-expression networks, were performed to identify the core DEGs. Survival analysis was performed to determine the relationship between these genes and patient survival time. Results Nine hundred eighty-three genes were identified as DEGs (P < 0.001; FC > 2). GO analysis showed that DEGs were primarily involved in processes such as angiogenesis, cell metabolism, cell adhesion, redox processes, and cell migration. The metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, ECM-receptor interaction, drug metabolism by cytochrome P450, metabolic pathways, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway were significantly enriched in pathway analysis. Genes such as UGT2B15, Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), Nidogen-2 (NID2), Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1), and Inhibin beta A chain (INHBA) were closely linked to other genes in the network. Survival analyses indicated that HGF, NID2, FSTL1, and INHBA expression levels were inversely correlated with survival time in patients with gastric cancer. Conclusion HGF, NID2, FSTL1, and INHBA may be potential key genes associated with the biological characteristics and survival in patients with gastric cancer.