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Involvement of NEK2 and its interaction with NDC80 and CEP250 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Lu Zeng1,2, Xiude Fan1, Xiaoyun Wang1
1Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China.
Background:
NEK2 has an established involvement in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but the roles of NEK2 and its interacting proteins in HCC have not been systematically explored.
Methods:
This study examined NEK2 and its interacting proteins in HCC based on multiple databases.
Results:
NEK2 mRNA was highly expressed in HCC tissues compared with normal liver tissues. The survival of HCC patients with high NEK2 mRNA expression was shorter than those with low expression. MAD1L1, CEP250, MAPK1, NDC80, PPP1CA, PPP1R2 and NEK11 were the interacting proteins of NEK2. Among them, NDC80 and CEP250 were the key interacting proteins of NEK2. Mitotic prometaphase may be the key pathway that NEK2 and its interacting proteins contributed to HCC pathogenesis. NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 mRNAs were highly expressed in HCC tissues compared with normal liver tissues. The mRNA levels of NEK2 were positively correlated with those of NDC80 or CEP250. Univariate regression showed that NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 mRNA expressions were significantly associated with HCC patients' survival. Multivariate regression showed that NDC80 mRNA expression was an independent predictor for HCC patients' survival. Methylations and genetic alterations of NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 were observed in HCC samples. The alterations of NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 genes were co-occurrence. Patients with high mRNA expression and genetic alterations of NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 had poor prognosis.
Conclusions:
NEK2 and its interacting proteins NDC80 and CEP250 play important roles in HCC development and progression and thus may be potentially used as biomarkers and therapeutic targets of HCC.
Insights
Nek2 and its interacting proteins, NDC80 and CEP250, are highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. High expression correlates with poor patient survival, suggesting potential as HCC biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Nek2 (Never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 2) is implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development.
- The specific roles of Nek2 and its interacting proteins in HCC pathogenesis remain underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate the expression and prognostic significance of Nek2 and its interacting proteins in HCC.
- To identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC based on Nek2 and its associated proteins.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Nek2 and interacting protein expression in HCC tissues using multiple public databases.
- Correlation analysis between gene expression, patient survival, and genetic alterations.
- Regression analysis to determine independent prognostic predictors.
Main Results:
- Nek2 mRNA was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared to normal liver tissues, correlating with shorter patient survival.
- Key interacting proteins, NDC80 and CEP250, showed similar expression patterns and correlations with survival.
- Nek2, NDC80, and CEP250 alterations (mRNA expression, methylation, genetic changes) were co-occurring and associated with poor HCC prognosis.
- NDC80 expression emerged as an independent predictor of survival in HCC patients.
Conclusions:
- Nek2, NDC80, and CEP250 are crucial in HCC development and progression.
- These proteins represent promising biomarkers for HCC diagnosis and prognosis.
- Targeting Nek2, NDC80, and CEP250 offers potential therapeutic strategies for HCC.
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