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Comprehensive Characterization of Integrin Subunit Genes in Human Cancers
Kaisa Cui1,2, Xiaohan Wu1,2, Liang Gong2,3
1Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
Frontiers in Oncology
|July 5, 2021
Summary
Integrin subunit genes (ITGs) are frequently altered in various cancers. This study reveals ITGA11 as a potential oncogene and prognostic biomarker in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD), highlighting ITGs
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Integrin subunit genes (ITGs) are implicated in some human cancers, but a comprehensive analysis across diverse cancer types is lacking.
- Understanding ITG dysregulation is crucial for identifying novel cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate the mRNA expression, copy number variation (CNV), DNA methylation, mutation, and clinical relevance of ITGs across 20 human cancer types.
- To identify prognostic ITGs and evaluate their potential as biomarkers, with a focus on ITGA11 in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset comprising over 8000 cancer patients.
- Examination of ITG mRNA expression, CNV, DNA methylation, and mutation data.
- Correlation analysis with clinical data, including survival and TNM staging; functional validation of ITGA11 in STAD cell lines.
Main Results:
- ITGs are extensively dysregulated across various cancer types, driven by genetic and epigenetic alterations.
- Prognosis-related ITGs were identified in multiple cancers, notably ITGA11 in STAD.
- ITGA11 is overexpressed in STAD, associated with poor survival, and its knockdown inhibits malignant phenotypes in STAD cell lines.
Conclusions:
- ITGs play significant roles in tumorigenesis and serve as potential prognostic biomarkers.
- ITGA11 is an oncogenic driver in STAD with potential as a therapeutic target.
- This study provides a valuable resource for understanding ITG involvement in human cancers.
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