Identification of RNA processing factor LSM5 as a new adverse biomarker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Dysregulated RNA processing is crucial in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) progression. Our research aimed to evaluate the prognostic values of RNA-processing genes (RPGs) in NPC through bioinformatic analysis of the GSE12452 and GSE102349 datasets, identifying differentially expressed RNA-processing genes (DE-RPGs). A prognostic model was developed using univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, with effectiveness assessed by ROC analysis. The correlation between risk scores, immune characteristics, and chemotherapy sensitivity was also analyzed. Model gene expression was validated by RT-qPCR, Western Blot, and immunohistochemistry, alongside functional assays. Bioinformatics indicated that RNA binding motif protein 20 (RBM20) and LSM5 are prognostic RPGs, with the ROC curve confirming their predictive ability for survival. Significant differences in drug sensitivity were noted between high- and low-risk groups. Experimental validation showed LSM5 is overexpressed in NPC tissues, correlating with poorer prognosis, and its down-regulation inhibits cell proliferation and migration. Thus, LSM5 is identified as a new adverse biomarker in NPC, with implications for targeted therapy and prognosis improvement.