High expression of pituitary tumor gene family is a predictor for poor prognosis of gastric cancer

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that pituitary tumor transforming gene family serves as an oncogene in human cancers. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) family in gastric cancer are unclear. This study aimed to explore the expression patterns, biological functions, and potential regulatory mechanism of PTTG family in gastric cancer cells. Results showed that the genes of PTTG family were highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and correlated with low survival outcomes. Further, it was noted that regulation of the PTTG3P expression was associated with miR-129-5p and miR-383-5p. A PTTG3P-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was established. In addition, results of the functional network analysis revealed that PTTG3P was enriched in transcription and cell signaling pathways. Moreover, results of the LinkedOmics and gene chip technology revealed that PTTG3P was positively correlated with PTTG2, whereas PTTG3P expression was not significantly correlated with PTTG1 expression. In conclusion, these results show that genes of the PTTG family promotes the occurrence and development of gastric cancer with PTTG3P regulating the transcription and cell signaling pathways. PTTG3P has an oncogenic role in gastric cancer by regulating the parental gene PTTG2.