A Comprehensive Molecular and Clinical Analysis of the piRNA Pathway Genes in Ovarian Cancer

• Published in: Cancers 2020-12, Vol.13 (1), p.4
• Main Authors: Lee, Eunice, Lokman, Noor A, Oehler, Martin K, Ricciardelli, Carmela, Grutzner, Frank
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2072-6694; 2072-6694
• DOI: 10.3390/cancers13010004

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal gynecological malignancies, yet molecular mechanisms underlying its origin and progression remain poorly understood. With increasing reports of piRNA pathway deregulation in various cancers, we aimed to better understand its role in OC through a comprehensive analysis of key genes: , , , , , , and mutants of ( ) and ( ). High-throughput qRT-PCR ( = 45) and CSIOVDB ( = 3431) showed differential gene expression when comparing benign ovarian tumors, low grade OC and high grade serous OC (HGSOC). Significant correlation of disparate piRNA pathway gene expression levels with better progression free, post-progression free and overall survival suggests a complex role of this pathway in OC. We discovered expression in chemosensitive but not chemoresistant primary HGSOC cells, providing a potential target against chemoresistant disease. As a first, we revealed that follicle stimulating hormone increased expression in OV-90 cells. , , , and overexpression in vitro and in vivo decreased motility and invasion of OVCAR-3 and OV-90 cells. Interestingly, and , induced increased motility and invasion compared to and . Our results in HGSOC highlight the intricate role piRNA pathway genes play in the development of malignant neoplasms.