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Updated: Aug 28, 2025
Mapping the Structure-Function Relationships of Disordered Oncogenic Transcription Factors Using Transcriptomic Analysis
Published on: June 27, 2020
Oncogenic role of TWF2 in human tumors: A pan-cancer analysis
Wenjie Liu1,2, Gengwei Huo1,3, Peng Chen4
1Department of Thoracic Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy of Tianjin, Tianjin, China.
Abstract:
To develop effective medicines, researchers must first understand the common and distinct mechanisms that drive oncogenic processes in human cancers. TWF1 and TWF2 belong to the actin-depolymerizing factor homology family. TWF1 has been identified as an important gene in lung, breast, and pancreatic cancer in recent investigations. TWF2's role in cancer remains largely unknown, no comprehensive pan-cancer studies have been conducted. We utilized the The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus datasets to investigate the role of TWF2 in different types of cancers. TWF2 transcription in cancers and the number of TWF2 mutations were examined as part of our study. We also examined the possible functional pathways involved in TWF2-mediated oncogenicity. Our pan-cancer analysis provided a complete overview of the oncogenic effects of TWF2 in a wide range of human malignancies.
Insights
This study reveals the oncogenic role of TWF2 across various cancers using pan-cancer analysis. It highlights TWF2
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Understanding oncogenic mechanisms is crucial for developing effective cancer medicines.
- TWF1, part of the actin-depolymerizing factor homology family, is implicated in lung, breast, and pancreatic cancers.
- The role of TWF2, a related protein, in cancer is largely unexplored, with no prior comprehensive pan-cancer studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TWF2 in various human malignancies.
- To provide a comprehensive pan-cancer overview of TWF2's oncogenic effects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets.
- Examined TWF2 transcription levels and mutation frequency across different cancer types.
- Analyzed potential functional pathways associated with TWF2-mediated oncogenicity.
Main Results:
- TWF2 exhibits altered transcription across a wide spectrum of human cancers.
- TWF2 mutations were identified in various malignancies, suggesting its involvement in cancer development.
- Functional pathway analysis indicated potential mechanisms through which TWF2 contributes to oncogenesis.
Conclusions:
- TWF2 plays a significant, previously underappreciated role in multiple human cancers.
- This pan-cancer analysis provides a foundational understanding of TWF2's oncogenic potential.
- Further research into TWF2 could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for a broad range of cancers.
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