Weighted gene co-expression network analysis reveals prognostic and diagnostic significance of in patients with early and late hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to reveal novel markers for prognostic and diagnostic prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

We applied The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We identified hub modules and genes using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). After verification with the GSE36376 dataset, hub genes were further identified. The expression of progestin and adipoQ receptor 4 () was confirmed in HCC by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) The diagnostic and prognosis value of was assessed. The expression of was verified using the GSE76427 dataset.

RESULTS

A total of 803 were obtained between HCC and normal tissue. Through WGCNA, 7 hub modules were screened, among which the blue module was selected to identify the hub genes associated with the HCC. After overlapping all the DEGs with 837 genes of the blue module, we obtained 466 DEGs that were defined as hub genes. Among the hub genes, 239 were related to staging. After verifying with the GSE36376 dataset, was identified as the real hub gene of HCC. The results of qRT-PCR revealed that was upregulated between HCC and normal tissue. Furthermore, was related to the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with HCC. Moreover, the GSE76427 verification results of were consistent with our integration and qRT-PCR results. Ultimately, high expression of was significantly related to cell cycle, DNA replication, and the p53 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

The gene may be associated with the prognosis and diagnosis of HCC