ACOX2 is a prognostic marker and impedes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma via PPARα pathway

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been extensively studied as one of the most aggressive tumors worldwide. However, its mortality rate remains high due to ideal diagnosis and treatment strategies. Uncovering novel genes with prognostic significance would shed light on improving the HCC patient’s outcome. In our study, we applied data-independent acquisition (DIA) quantitative proteomics to investigate the expression landscape of 24 paired HCC patients. A total of 1029 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were screened. Then, we compared DEPs in our cohort with the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in The Cancer Genome Atlas, and investigated their prognostic significance, and found 183 prognosis-related genes (PRGs). By conducting protein–protein interaction topological analysis, we identified four subnetworks with prognostic significance. Acyl-CoA oxidase 2 (ACOX2) is a novel gene in subnetwork1, encodes a peroxisomal enzyme, and its function in HCC was investigated in vivo and in vitro. The lower expression of ACOX2 was validated by real-time quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, wound healing, and transwell migration assay were applied to evaluate the impact of ACOX2 overexpression on the proliferation and migration abilities in two liver cancer cell lines. ACOX2 overexpression, using a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model, indicated a tumor suppressor role in HCC. To uncover the underlying mechanism, gene set enrichment analysis was conducted, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) was proposed to be a potential target. In conclusion, we demonstrated a PRG ACOX2, and its overexpression reduced the proliferation and metastasis of liver cancer in vitro and in vivo through PPARα pathway.

CDT1 Is a Novel Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious disease with high morbidity and mortality, annually causing more than 500,000 deaths worldwide (1). HCC usually evolves from chronic liver inflammation, 80% of which is caused by viral hepatitis C or B (2). In the past decade, the prevalence and mortality of HCC have been decreasing in East Asia and other areas that traditionally report high incidence rates, while increasing in Europe and the United States (3).…”

Comprehensive Analysis of E3 Ubiquitin Ligases Reveals Ring Finger Protein 223 as a Novel Oncogene Activated by KLF4 in Pancreatic Cancer

“…Data-independent acquisition quantitative proteomics was conducted according to a previous study ( Zhang et al, 2021 ). Briefly, cells underwent protein extraction and trypsin digestion into peptides, and then a spectral library was generated and quantified.…”

Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular Disease: Causing Factors, Molecular Links, and Treatment Options

“…Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), including PPAR-α ( 99 ), PPAR-β/δ ( 100 ), and PPAR-γ ( 101 ), are involved in HCC growth and metastasis. PPARs can be regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs) to regulate tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.…”