Loading...

Preprints

Identification of Key Genes for Controlling Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics in Gastric Cancer

Huang C, Zhao J, Ning Z, Huang J, Zhu Z.
Preprint from
Research Square
2 June 2020
PPR
PPR170445
Abstract

Background:

Self-renewal of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) is considered to be the underlying cause of the metastasis, drug resistance and recurrence of gastric cancer (GC). The purpose of this study was to characterize the expression of stem cell-related genes in GC. Methods The RNA sequencing results and clinical data for gastric adenoma and adenocarcinoma samples were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and the results of the GC mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) were analyzed. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was then used to find modules of interest and their key genes. Survival analysis of key genes was performed using the online tool Kaplan-Meier Plotter, and the online database Oncomine was used to assess the expression of key genes in GC. Results mRNAsi was significantly upregulated in GC tissues compared to normal gastric tissues (p < 0.0001). A total of 16 modules were obtained from the gene coexpression network; the brown module was most positively correlated with mRNAsi. Sixteen key genes (BUB1, BUB1B, NCAPH, KIF14, RACGAP1, RAD54L, TPX2, KIF15, KIF18B, CENPF, TTK, KIF4A, SGOL2, PLK4, XRCC2 and C1orf112) were identified in the brown module. Survival analysis and Oncomine analysis revealed that the prognosis of patients with GC and the expression of three genes (RAD54L, TPX2 and XRCC2) were consistently related. Conclusion Sixteen key genes play an important role in the maintenance of GCSCs. RAD54L, TPX2 and XRCC2 are the most likely therapeutic targets for inhibiting the stemness characteristics of GC cells.