Comprehensive analysis of the pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG) family in lung adenocarcinoma: diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications

Jiajia Xu; Xueping Lou; Fei Li; Biying Song; Yiting Zheng; Jie Zhu; Zhencang Zheng

doi:10.62347/TSJB6900

Comprehensive analysis of the pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG) family in lung adenocarcinoma: diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications

Am J Transl Res. 2024 Nov 15;16(11):6326-6345. doi: 10.62347/TSJB6900. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Jiajia Xu¹, Xueping Lou², Fei Li¹, Biying Song¹, Yiting Zheng³, Jie Zhu¹, Zhencang Zheng⁴

Affiliations

¹ Clinical Laboratory, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital) Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China.
² Office of Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group) Enze Hospital Taizhou 318050, Zhejiang, China.
³ Jiaojiang District Center for Disease Prevention and Control Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China.
⁴ Department of Critical Care Medicine, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital) Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China.

Abstract

Objectives: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a prevalent form of non-small cell lung cancer with high morbidity and mortality rates. Identifying molecular markers and therapeutic targets is crucial for improving LUAD diagnosis and treatment. Pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG) family members, PTTG1, PTTG2, and PTTG3P, have been linked to several malignancies; however, it is unclear how these genes relate to LUAD. The current retrospective study investigates the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic importance of PTTG genes in LUAD.

Methods: We used detailed in silico and in vitro experiments involving cell lines for experimental design.

Results: Using RT-qPCR, we documented that PTTG1, PTTG2, and PTTG3P are significantly up-regulated in LUAD cell lines compared to controls, with PTTG2 showing the highest diagnostic potential (AUC = 1.0). Promoter methylation analysis revealed hypomethylation in LUAD samples, particularly for PTTG3P, further supporting its diagnostic relevance. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed overexpression of PTTG1 and PTTG2 proteins in LUAD tissue samples. The mutational analysis highlighted PTTG2 as the most frequently mutated gene within the PTTG family in LUAD samples, with mutations primarily being missense types. Survival analysis demonstrated that high expression of PTTG genes is associated with poorer overall survival, indicating their prognostic value. Gene enrichment analysis suggested that PTTG genes are involved in critical cancer-related pathways and cellular processes. Functional assays following siRNA-mediated knockdown of PTTG genes in A549 cells showed a significant reduction in cell proliferation. Lastly, drug sensitivity analysis revealed strong correlations between PTTG1/PTTG3P expression and resistance to various anticancer drugs.

Conclusion: The findings of the current study highlight the potential of PTTG genes as diagnostic biomarkers, prognostic indicators, and therapeutic targets in LUAD.

Keywords: LUAD; PTTG family genes; biomarker; therapeutic target.