Transcripto-based network analysis reveals a model of gene activation in tongue squamous cell carcinomas

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is the most prevalent oral malignancy.
• The underlying molecular mechanisms of TSCC remain incompletely understood.
• Identifying novel molecular targets is crucial for improving TSCC treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the molecular mechanisms of TSCC by analyzing gene expression patterns.
• To identify potential gene biomarkers and therapeutic targets for TSCC.
• To evaluate the association between genes and clinical features in TSCC.

Main Methods:

• Utilized weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to construct gene networks.
• Analyzed gene expression profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE31056).
• Identified and validated key modules and hub genes associated with TSCC.

Main Results:

• Five hub genes (FAP, AGTRAP, PLOD1, POSTN, TSHZ3) were identified and validated at the transcriptional level.
• Protein levels of these five hub genes were significantly elevated in TSCC tumor tissues.
• Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) demonstrated the strongest association with immune infiltration in TSCC.

Conclusions:

• The identified five hub genes represent potential biomarkers for TSCC diagnosis and prognosis.
• These genes are promising candidates for further investigation as therapeutic targets in TSCC.
• Further research is warranted to explore the clinical utility of these findings in tongue cancer treatment.