Identification of genes related to ribosomal proteins in colorectal cancer: exploring their potential as biomarkers, prognostic indicators, and therapeutic targets.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both females and males, underscoring the need for the identification of effective biomarkers.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed the expression levels of ribosomal proteins (RPs) at both mRNA and protein levels. Subsequently, leveraging the STRING database, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network and identified hub genes. The co-expression network of differentially expressed genes associated with CRC and their target hub RPs was constructed using the weighted gene co-expression network analysis algorithm. Gene ontology and molecular signatures database were conducted to gain insights into the biological roles of genes associated with the identified module. To confirm the results, the expression level of the candidate genes in the CRC samples compared to the adjacent healthy was evaluated by the RT-qPCR method. Our findings indicated that the genes related to RPs were predominantly enriched in biological processes associated with Myc Targets, Oxidative Phosphorylation, and cell proliferation. Also, results demonstrated that elevated levels of GRWD1, MCM5, IMP4, and RABEPK that related to RPs were associated with poor prognostic outcomes for CRC patients. Notably, IMP4 and RABEPK exhibited higher diagnostic value. Moreover, the expression of IMP4 and RABEPK showed a significant association with drug resistance using cancer cell line encyclopedia and genomics of drug sensitivity in cancer databases. Also, the results showed that the expression level of IMP4 and RABEPK in cancerous samples was significantly higher compared to the adjacent healthy ones.

CONCLUSION: The general results of this study have shown that many genes related to RPs are increased in cancer and could be associated with the death rate of patients. We also highlighted the therapeutic and prognostic potentials of RPs genes in CRC.