Pan-cancer analysis reveals GGPS1 plays an important role in tumorigenesis in multiple tumor types

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase 1 (GGPS1) inhibition affects cell proliferation.
• Emerging evidence suggests a link between GGPS1 and cancer, but a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of GGPS1 in tumorigenesis across various cancer types.
• To analyze GGPS1 expression, genetic alterations, and prognostic significance in a pan-cancer context.

Main Methods:

• Utilized The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for human clinical data analysis.
• Examined GGPS1 RNA and protein expression levels.
• Assessed genetic alterations, including amplification.
• Correlated GGPS1 expression with patient prognosis and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) infiltration.
• Performed functional enrichment analysis of GGPS1-interacting and correlated genes.

Main Results:

• GGPS1 was significantly upregulated in multiple cancer types at both RNA and protein levels, notably in breast carcinoma (BRCA), hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC/HCC), and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).
• Gene amplification was the predominant genetic alteration in BRCA, ovarian tumors, and HCC.
• Elevated GGPS1 expression correlated with poorer patient prognosis and overall survival in several cancers, including LIHC.
• GGPS1 expression was associated with CAF infiltration in BRCA and LUAD.
• Functional enrichment analysis revealed involvement in terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, steroid biosynthesis, and metabolic pathways.

Conclusions:

• GGPS1 plays a potential role in promoting tumorigenesis and tumor progression, particularly in BRCA and LUAD.
• GGPS1 is implicated in steroid biosynthesis and metabolic pathways.
• Further research into GGPS1's function in cancer is warranted.