Screening out molecular pathways and prognostic biomarkers of ultraviolet-mediated melanoma through computational techniques

Arju Hossain ¹, Asif Ahsan ¹, Imran Hasan ²

⁰Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail, Bangladesh.

The International Journal of Biological Markers +

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February 27, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This study identifies AURKA and PLK1 as potential biomarkers for early skin cancer detection. These genes are highly expressed in skin cancer and linked to patient survival, paving the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Area Of Science

Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Oncology
Molecular Biology

Background

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a primary cause of skin cancer, but its precise mechanisms and effective prevention strategies remain unclear.
Early diagnosis and targeted interventions are crucial for improving skin cancer patient outcomes.

Purpose Of The Study

To identify potential biomarkers for early skin cancer diagnosis and prevention using bioinformatics and systems biology.
To discover clinically applicable biomarkers for effective disease treatment.

Main Methods

Compared gene and protein expression in UV-induced keratinocytes and normal skin using NCBI-GEO RNA sequencing data.
Performed pathway analysis on hub genes from protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and analyzed survival and expression profiles.
Validated potential biomarkers using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Main Results

Identified 32 shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in skin cancer.
Found that DEGs are involved in cell cycle regulation, including cyclin-dependent kinase activity and NIMA kinase pathways.
Highlighted AURKA, CDK4, and PLK1 as significant hub genes associated with survival; AURKA and PLK1 were validated as potential biomarkers with AUC values of 0.8 and 0.7, respectively.

Conclusions

AURKA and PLK1 show promise as validated biomarkers for skin cancer prognosis.
Further translational research, including clinical and in-vivo studies, is warranted to evaluate these biomarkers for patient prognosis.

Keywords:

GO pathways ROC curve Skin cancer and survival biomarkers hub proteins

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Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
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