TOMM5 is associated with oral cancer progression: a multi-omics analysis from single-cell atlas to in vitro validation.

Aims: Translocase of Outer Mitochondrial Membrane 5 (TOMM5), a mitochondrial outer membrane translocase subunit implicated in tumorigenesis, remains unexplored in oral cancer. Herein, we aimed to decipher the role of TOMM5 in oral cancer.

Methods: This study comprehensively explored the expression profile, clinical significance, and functional roles of TOMM5 in oral carcinogenesis with global RNA-seq and microarray datasets. In vitro experiments were performed for evaluating the impact of TOMM5 knockdown on the biological functions of oral cancer cells. Distribution heterogeneity of TOMM5 expression and related cellular trajectory was analyzed through scRNA-seq. The therapeutic implications of TOMM5 for oral cancer were analyzed through drug sensitivity prediction and tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) scoring.

Results: TOMM5 was significantly overexpressed in oral cancer tissues and demonstrated moderate diagnostic accuracy. TOMM5 knockdown significantly suppressed aggressive biological behaviors of oral cancer cells. ScRNA-seq data revealed predominant TOMM5 expression in B cells, decreasing with differentiation, and linked distinct pathway activities to specific cellular compartments. High TOMM5 expression was linked to reduced immune cell infiltration and sensitivity to Paclitaxel/Vincristine.

Conclusions: Overexpressed TOMM5 shows potential as a biomarker in oral cancer, correlating with tumor progression and immune infiltration.