Knockdown of HNRNPM inhibits the progression of glioma through inducing ferroptosis.

Purpose: Ferroptosis acts as an important regulator in diverse human tumors, including the glioma. This study aimed to screen potential ferroptosis-related genes involved in the progression of glioma.

Materials and methods: Differently expressed genes (DEGs) were screened based on GSE31262 and GSE12657 datasets, and ferroptosis-related genes were separated. Among the important hub genes in the protein-protein interaction networks, HNRNPM was selected as a research target. Following the knockdown of HNRNPM, the viability, migration, and invasion were detected by CCK8, wound healing, and transwell assays, respectively. The role of HNRNPM knockdown was also verified in a xenograft tumor model in mice. Immunohistochemistry detected the expression levels of HNRNPM and Ki67. Moreover, the ferroptosis was evaluated according to the levels of iron, glutathione peroxidase (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the expression of PTGS2, GPX4, and FTH1.

Results: Total 41 overlapping DEGs relating with ferroptosis and glioma were screened, among which 4 up-regulated hub genes (HNRNPM, HNRNPA3, RUVBL1, and SNRPPF) were determined. The up-regulation of HNRNPM presented a certain predictive value for glioma. In addition, knockdown of HNRNPM inhibited the viability, migration, and invasion of glioma cells in vitro, and also the tumor growth in mice. Notably, knockdown of HNRNPM enhanced the ferroptosis in glioma cells. Furthermore, HNRNPM was positively associated with SMARCA4 in glioma.

Conclusions: Knockdown of HNRNPM inhibits the progression of glioma via inducing ferroptosis. HNRNPM is a promising molecular target for the treatment of glioma via inducing ferroptosis. We provided new insights of glioma progression and potential therapeutic guidance.