NABP2 as an oncogenic biomarker promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression and metastasis.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the role and biological function of nucleic acid binding protein 2 (NABP2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Our study was based on comprehensive bioinformatics methods and functional analysis experiments using HCC cells to reveal the expression of NABP2, the prognostic role of NABP2, the relationship between NABP2 and the infiltration of immune cells and the expression of immune-related cytokines, potential effective drugs against HCC, and the biological function of NABP2 in HCC.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that NABP2 expression was markedly elevated in HCC, which suggested a worse prognosis and shorter survival time in HCC patients. Moreover, NABP2 was an independent prognostic factor and was associated with cancer-related signal pathways in HCC. Further functional analysis showed that knockdown of NABP2 dramatically inhibited proliferation and migration, and promoted apoptosis of HCC cells. Subsequently, we identified NABP2-related genes and NABP2-related clusters. Next, we constructed a NABP2-related risk signature based on differentially expressed genes that were responsible for NABP2-related clusters. We found that the risk signature was an independent prognostic factor for patients with HCC that was associated with dysregulated immune infiltration. Finally, drug sensitivity analysis revealed eight potentially effective drugs for beneficial treatment options for HCC patients with high-risk scores.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicated that NABP2 is a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC, and a NABP2-related risk signature could guide clinicians to judge the prognosis and suggest drug treatments for HCC patients.