{"title":"Comprehensive Analysis of <i>GJB1</i> in Breast Cancer: Its Implications in Survival and Molecular Mechanisms.","authors":"Engin Ozcivici, Gulistan Mese","doi":"10.21873/anticanres.17365","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong>Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. The connexin (Cx) family, including GJB1 (Cx32), plays complex roles in tumor progression depending on cellular context and cancer subtype. While Cx32 overexpression has been linked to lymph node metastasis, its effects on survival and molecular processes remain unclear. Herein, we aimed to investigate the role of GJB1 in breast cancer by examining its impact on survival and cellular processes in addition to its expression pattern in tumor subtypes, using public datasets.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We conducted a comprehensive analysis of GJB1 in breast cancer using METABRIC patient dataset, Cancer Cell Line Encylopedia, and other publicly available databases. We examined the association between GJB1 expression and patient survival, performed differential gene expression analysis, and explored gene set enrichment to identify biological processes associated with high GJB1 expression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>GJB1 was significantly down-regulated in breast cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. However, patients with high GJB1 expression had significantly poorer survival compared to those with low expression, with the median survival reduced by over 25 months. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that down-regulated genes in the GJB1-high group were enriched in extracellular matrix components and membrane junctions, while up-regulated genes were associated with mitochondrial function and cellular respiration.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings suggest a dual role for GJB1 in breast cancer. Although it is generally down-regulated, high GJB1 expression is associated with poorer survival, implying a potential oncogenic role. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of GJB1 in breast cancer and explore its therapeutic implications.</p>","PeriodicalId":8072,"journal":{"name":"Anticancer research","volume":"44 12","pages":"5379-5391"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Anticancer research","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.21873/anticanres.17365","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"ONCOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background/aim: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. The connexin (Cx) family, including GJB1 (Cx32), plays complex roles in tumor progression depending on cellular context and cancer subtype. While Cx32 overexpression has been linked to lymph node metastasis, its effects on survival and molecular processes remain unclear. Herein, we aimed to investigate the role of GJB1 in breast cancer by examining its impact on survival and cellular processes in addition to its expression pattern in tumor subtypes, using public datasets.
Materials and methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of GJB1 in breast cancer using METABRIC patient dataset, Cancer Cell Line Encylopedia, and other publicly available databases. We examined the association between GJB1 expression and patient survival, performed differential gene expression analysis, and explored gene set enrichment to identify biological processes associated with high GJB1 expression.
Results: GJB1 was significantly down-regulated in breast cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. However, patients with high GJB1 expression had significantly poorer survival compared to those with low expression, with the median survival reduced by over 25 months. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that down-regulated genes in the GJB1-high group were enriched in extracellular matrix components and membrane junctions, while up-regulated genes were associated with mitochondrial function and cellular respiration.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest a dual role for GJB1 in breast cancer. Although it is generally down-regulated, high GJB1 expression is associated with poorer survival, implying a potential oncogenic role. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of GJB1 in breast cancer and explore its therapeutic implications.
期刊介绍:
ANTICANCER RESEARCH is an independent international peer-reviewed journal devoted to the rapid publication of high quality original articles and reviews on all aspects of experimental and clinical oncology. Prompt evaluation of all submitted articles in confidence and rapid publication within 1-2 months of acceptance are guaranteed.
ANTICANCER RESEARCH was established in 1981 and is published monthly (bimonthly until the end of 2008). Each annual volume contains twelve issues and index. Each issue may be divided into three parts (A: Reviews, B: Experimental studies, and C: Clinical and Epidemiological studies).
Special issues, presenting the proceedings of meetings or groups of papers on topics of significant progress, will also be included in each volume. There is no limitation to the number of pages per issue.