Elevated expression patterns of P-element Induced Wimpy Testis (PIWI) transcripts are potential candidate markers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Hammad G.; Mamdouh S.; Seoudi D.M.; Seleem M.I.; Safwat G.; Mohamed R.H.

Journal: Cancer Biomarkers

Publisher: IOS Press BV

Publication Date: 1 May 2024

Volume / Issue: Volume 39 / Issue 2

Pages: 95–111

ISSN: 15740153

DOI: 10.3233/CBM-230134

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 38043006

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Green Open Access; Hybrid Gold Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Hammad G., Faculty of Biotechnology, October University for Modern Sciences & Arts (MSA), Giza, Egypt, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Mamdouh S., Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt; Seoudi D.M., Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Seleem M.I., Department of Surgery, National Hepatology, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt; Safwat G., Faculty of Biotechnology, October University for Modern Sciences & Arts (MSA), Giza, Egypt; Mohamed R.H., Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

BACKGROUND: P-Element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI) proteins, when in combination with PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA), are engaged in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in germline cells. Different types of tumour cells have been found to exhibit abnormal expression of piRNA, PIWIL-mRNAs, and proteins. We aimed to determine the mRNA expression profiles of PIWIL1, PIWIL2, PIWIL3, & PIWIL4, in hepatocellular carcinoma patients, and to associate their expression patterns with clinicopathological features. METHODS: The expression patterns of PIWIL1, PIWIL2, PIWIL3, PIWIL4 mRNA, was assessed via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR), on tissue and serum samples from HCC patients, their impact for diagnosis was evaluated by ROC curves, prognostic utility was determined, and In Silico analysis was conducted for predicted variant detection, association with HCC microRNAs and Network Analysis. RESULTS: Expression levels were significantly higher in both HCC tissue and serum samples than in their respective controls (p < 0.001). Additionally, the diagnostic performance was assessed, Risk determination was found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: PIWIL mRNAs are overexpressed in HCC tissue and serum samples, the expression patterns could be valuable molecular markers for HCC, due to their association with age, tumour grade and pattern. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to report the expression levels of all PIWIL mRNA and to suggest their remarkable values as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, in addition to their correlation to HCC development. Additionally, a therapeutic opportunity might be also suggested through in silico miRNA prediction for HCC and PIWIL genes through DDX4 and miR-124-3p. © 2024 - The authors.

Keywords

diagnosis; Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC); PIWIL1; PIWIL2; PIWIL3; PIWIL4; prognosis; relative expression patterns; RT-QPCR; Argonaute Proteins; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Piwi-Interacting RNA; RNA, Messenger; Testis; Piwi protein; piwil1 protein; piwil2 protein; piwil3 protein; piwil4 protein; unclassified drug; argonaute protein; messenger RNA; Piwi interacting RNA; PIWIL1 protein, human; PIWIL2 protein, human; adult; Article; cancer patient; clinical article; clinical feature; computer model; controlled study; female; gene expression profiling; histopathology; human; human tissue; liver cell carcinoma; middle aged; mRNA expression level; quantitative analysis; real time polymerase chain reaction; genetic epigenesis; genetics; liver tumor

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 8

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