SEC61G identified as a prognostic biomarker of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology 2022-04, Vol.279 (4), p.2039-2048
• Main Authors: Shi, Yanan, Liang, Yibo, Wang, Wei, Zhang, Guimin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Chaperonin Containing TCP-1; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Head and Neck; Head and Neck Neoplasms - genetics; Head and Neck Surgery; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurosurgery; Otorhinolaryngology; Prognosis; SEC Translocation Channels - genetics; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck - genetics
• ISSN: 0937-4477; 1434-4726
• DOI: 10.1007/s00405-021-06955-7

Purpose It is of obvious interest to identify clinical prognosis-related oncogenes in HNSCC (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma). Methods Based on the available datasets within the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) databases, the potential mechanism of action of the SEC61G ( SEC61 translocon subunit gamma) gene in HNSCC tumorigenesis was explored by several bioinformatics approaches. Results There was a higher expression level of SEC61G in primary HNSCC tumor tissues than in normal tissues. Moreover, highly expressed SEC61G was statistically associated with the poor survival prognosis of HNSCC patients. When HPV (human papilloma virus) was considered, we also observed a relatively lower proportion of “arm-level gain” and “high amplification” types of CNA (copy-number alteration) in the HNSCC-HPV (+) group than in the HNSCC-HPV (−) group. Additionally, we identified SEC61G CAN-correlated genes, such as CCT6A (chaperonin-containing TCP1 subunit 6A) and HUS1 (HUS1 checkpoint clamp component), and found a correlation between SEC61G copy-number segments and prognosis related to overall and progression-free survival intervals of HNSCC patients. Moreover, the molecular regulation mechanisms of the spliceosome, ribosome, proteasome degradation, cell adhesion, and immune infiltration of B and CD8 + T cells may contribute to the involvement of SEC61G in the pathogenesis of HNSCC. Conclusions The SEC61G gene was identified for the first time as a prognostic biomarker of HNSCC. The detailed underlying mechanism merits further research.