The role of TMEM163 protein in thyroid microcarcinoma: expression pattern and clinical implications.

Background: TMEM163 protein is a new zinc ion transporter whose regulatory role in tumors has yet to be discovered. This study aimed to analyze the expression pattern of TMEM163 in thyroid microcarcinoma and explore its potential molecular function and clinical value.

Methods: Differential analysis was performed to detect the expression pattern of TMEM163 in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Functional analysis was performed to explore the biological function of TMEM163. Logistic regression was performed to detect the relationship between TMEM163 expression and lymph node metastasis. A correlation analysis of the relationship between 163 and anoikis was performed. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to verify its expression in PTC tissues. The effect of TMEM163 on PTC cell function was studied by a series of in vitro cell experiments. The prediction model of lymph node metastasis was constructed based on the ultrasonic characteristics of PTMC and the expression of TMEM163.

Results: The expression of TMEM163 in PTC tissue was higher than in normal thyroid tissue. In vitro, silencing TMEM163 inhibited PTC cells' proliferation, migration, and invasion, while TMEM163 overexpression exhibited the opposite effect. In addition, down-regulating its expression can inhibit the cell cycle process and induce the apoptosis of tumor cells. In pathway analysis, we demonstrated that knockout of TMEM163 significantly increased p21 expression and inhibited BCL-2 expression. Logistic regression results suggested that the expression of TMEM163 combined with PTMC ultrasound characteristics helped predict lymph node metastasis.

Conclusion: TMEM163 is highly expressed in PTC, which may be involved in the mechanism of anoikis, and can be used as a molecular marker to predict PTMC lymph node metastasis.