The function of guanylate binding protein 3 (GBP3) in human cancers by pan-cancer bioinformatics

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) are immune-associated proteins with potential roles in cancer.
• Guanylate binding protein 3 (GBP3) has been under-investigated in the context of oncogenesis and cancer therapy.
• Understanding GBP3's function is crucial for developing novel cancer treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive pan-cancer bioinformatics analysis of Guanylate binding protein 3 (GBP3).
• To investigate the expression patterns, clinical outcomes, immune cell infiltration, potential mechanisms, and mutation landscape of GBP3 across various human cancers.
• To provide new insights into the prognostic and therapeutic implications of GBP3 in cancer.

Main Methods:

• Utilized bioinformatics tools including TIMER2.0, GEPIA2.0, SRING, DAVID, and cBioPortal.
• Analyzed GBP3 expression, clinical outcomes, immune infiltrates (e.g., CAFs, CD8+ T cells), and mutation data.
• Performed pan-cancer analysis across multiple human cancer types.

Main Results:

• High GBP3 expression was associated with increased risk in Brain Lower Grade Glioma (LGG) and Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LUSC), and decreased risk in Sarcoma (SARC) and Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM).
• GBP3 showed differential correlations with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and CD8+ T cells across various cancer types, suggesting a role in immune modulation.
• Frequent GBP3 mutation sites were identified as R151Q/* and K380N.

Conclusions:

• GBP3 exhibits complex and cancer-type-specific roles in human cancers, influencing patient prognosis and the tumor immune microenvironment.
• GBP3 may be involved in maintaining the balance between innate and adaptive immunity within the cancer context.
• This study highlights GBP3 as a potential biomarker for cancer prognosis and a target for future cancer therapies.