Low GAS5 Levels as a Predictor of Poor Survival in Patients with Lower-Grade Gliomas

Gliomas are infiltrative neoplasms of a highly invasive nature. Different stages of gliomas feature distinct genomic, genetic, and epigenetic changes. The long noncoding RNA Growth Arrest Specific Transcript 5 (GAS5) is an identified tumour suppressor involved in several cancers. However, the underlying roles of the GAS5 gene in lower-grade glioma (LGG) patients are not clear.

Via bioinformatic analysis based on TCGA-LGG and TCGA-GBM data, we explored the mechanisms of GAS5 expression in LGG (grades II and III) and high-grade glioma (glioblastoma multiforme, grade IV). The log-rank test and multivariate Cox analysis were performed to find the association between GAS5 and overall survival (OS) in LGG patients. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and RNA-Seq analysis were applied to find the key gene network associated with GAS5.

We found that GAS5 expression was downregulated in both LGG and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) compared with normal brain tissue. Low methylation in the GAS5 promoter region was detected in both LGG and GBM tissues. The amplification type was the predominant type of GAS5 gene alteration in both LGG and GBM. High GAS5 expression was more associated with long overall survival (OS) in LGG patients than in GBM patients. The multivariate survival analysis of GAS5 and clinical and molecular characteristics in LGG patients further confirmed the association between GAS5 and OS in LGG patients. We then developed a nomogram for clinical use. WGCNA and RNA-Seq analysis indicated that ribosomal biogenesis and translation initiation were the predominant events regulated by GAS5 in LGG patients.

Taken together, these results demonstrate that GAS5 expression is associated with OS in LGG patients and that its underlying roles involve the regulation of ribosomal biogenesis and translation initiation, which may aid in identifying a new target for the treatment of LGG.