Integrative Analysis of TP53INP2 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

TP53INP2 plays an important role in regulating gene transcription and starvation-induced autophagy, however, its function in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear. Therefore, we assessed the expression and prognostic value of TP53INP2. In addition, RNAseq, miRNAseq, copy number variation, and mutation profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset were applied to evaluate the distinctive genomic patterns related to TP53INP2 expression. We found that TP53INP2 expression was lower in HNSCC compared with normal controls. Patients with higher TP53INP2 expression had longer survival time. Knockdown of TP53INP2 promoted cell viability. Functional analysis exhibited that TP53INP2 was linked to DNA replication, DNA repair, cell cycle, and multiple metabolic pathways. Moreover, TP53INP2 might affect the expression of multiple genes via enhancing the transcriptional activity of nuclear hormone receptors. A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network consisting of 33 lncRNAs, eight miRNAs, and 13 mRNAs was constructed based on the expression of TP53INP2. Taken together, our study highlights the potential value of TP53INP2 in predicting the survival of HNSCC and its important role in the genesis and development of HNSCC.