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Oncogenic role of karyopherin α2 (KPNA2) in human tumors: A pan-cancer analysis
Yiming Sun1, Wenjing Li2, Xiaolong Li1
1Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Background:
KPNA2, a nuclear export protein that plays an important role in tumorigenesis, is an emerging hotspot target in oncology. Despite increasing supporting evidence of its importance, no pan-cancer analysis, across multiple databases, is available for in-depth data mining of the gene.
Methods:
Tumor data from both The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were explored to investigate the potential oncogenic roles of KPNA2. Diverse analytical methods were used to gain a full-scale understanding of KPNA2: gene expression, survival situations, genetic mutations, DNA methylation, sites of protein phosphorylation, immunocyte infiltration, and correlative cellular pathways.
Results:
KPNA2 is highly expressed in many cancers, and different correlations exist between KPNA2 expression and prognosis of cancer patients. cBioPortal reported that a nonsense mutation of R285* was considered to be the primary tumorigenic genetic alteration to KPNA2 and was found in cases of LUSC, STAD, and CESC. Enhanced phosphorylation of S62 was found in several cancers and the level of infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts was found to be linearly correlated with KPNA2 expression levels in ACC, BRCA, MESO, TGCT, THCA, and THYM. Correlations between KPNA2 DNA methylation and the pathogenesis of various tumors in TCGA were further identified. KEGG and GO enrichment analysis identified cell cycle, microtubule binding, and tubulin binding functions for KPNA2.
Conclusion:
This is the first pan-cancer analysis focusing on KPNA2. It provides a comprehensive understanding about the role of KPNA2 in tumorigenesis and highlights the potential targeted role of KPNA2 for cancer study.
Insights
This study reveals KPNA2
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- KPNA2 (Karyopherin Alpha 2) is a nuclear export protein crucial in tumorigenesis.
- It is an emerging target in cancer research, but comprehensive pan-cancer analyses are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct the first pan-cancer analysis of KPNA2 using TCGA and GEO databases.
- To investigate the oncogenic roles and potential therapeutic targeting of KPNA2 across diverse cancers.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene expression, survival data, mutations, DNA methylation, and protein phosphorylation.
- Assessment of immunocyte infiltration and correlative cellular pathways (KEGG and GO enrichment).
Main Results:
- KPNA2 is highly expressed in multiple cancers, with varying prognostic correlations.
- A specific nonsense mutation (R285*) in KPNA2 is linked to LUSC, STAD, and CESC.
- KPNA2 expression correlates with cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration and DNA methylation patterns.
- Functional analysis implicates KPNA2 in cell cycle, microtubule, and tubulin binding.
Conclusions:
- This comprehensive pan-cancer analysis provides a thorough understanding of KPNA2's role in tumorigenesis.
- KPNA2 emerges as a potential targeted therapy candidate for various cancers.
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