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Updated: Aug 18, 2025

Utilizing Functional Genomics Screening to Identify Potentially Novel Drug Targets in Cancer Cell Spheroid Cultures
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Differential Expression of RSK4 Transcript Isoforms in Cancer and Its Clinical Relevance

Sisi Chen1, Michael J Seckl1, Marc P G Lorentzen1

  • 1Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 11, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The role of RSK4 in cancer is complex, with different isoforms acting as either tumor suppressors or promoters. Isoform expression impacts patient survival and cancer progression across various cancer types.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The role of ribosomal S6 kinase 4 (RSK4) in cancer is debated, with conflicting reports suggesting it can be a therapeutic target or a tumor suppressor.
  • Discrepancies in RSK4's function across different cancers may stem from the expression of distinct RSK4 isoforms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of protein-coding RSK4 isoforms (isoforms 1 and 2) across various cancer types.
  • To correlate RSK4 isoform expression with clinical features and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of RSK4 isoform expression in 30 normal and 33 cancer tissue types using the GTEx/TCGA dataset.
  • Correlation of RSK4 expression with patient survival, pathological stage, metastasis, recurrence, and immune infiltration.

Main Results:

  • RSK4 isoforms 1 and 2 are independent prognostic factors in brain, stomach, cervical, and kidney cancers.
  • Upregulation of either RSK4 isoform can be associated with either favorable or unfavorable prognosis, depending on the cancer type.
  • Changes in the ratio of RSK4 isoform expression do not reliably predict clinical outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Differential expression of RSK4 isoforms alone does not fully explain its context-dependent roles in cancer.
  • Further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the varied functions of RSK4 in different cancer types.
Keywords:
RPS6KA6RSK4cancerisoformsnormal tissueprognosis

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