Multi-Omics analysis and in vitro validation reveal diagnostic and therapeutic roles of novel hub genes in ovarian cancer

Abstract Ovarian cancer (OC) remains a highly lethal gynecologic malignancy due to late diagnosis and limited therapeutic options. In this study, we aimed to identify and functionally validate novel hub genes associated with OC progression. We integrated four GEO microarray datasets (GSE54388, GSE40...

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Main Authors: Jianmin Wang, Guanghui Song, Lili Xing
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:Hereditas
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41065-025-00535-z
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author Jianmin Wang
Guanghui Song
Lili Xing
author_facet Jianmin Wang
Guanghui Song
Lili Xing
author_sort Jianmin Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Ovarian cancer (OC) remains a highly lethal gynecologic malignancy due to late diagnosis and limited therapeutic options. In this study, we aimed to identify and functionally validate novel hub genes associated with OC progression. We integrated four GEO microarray datasets (GSE54388, GSE40595, GSE18521, and GSE12470) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between OC and healthy tissues using the limma package. A total of 22 common DEGs were identified, of which four—SNRPA1, LSM4, TMED10, and PROM2—emerged as hub genes based on PPI network centrality. Expression analyses using TCGA data and RT-qPCR confirmed the significant upregulation of these genes in OC samples. Promoter methylation analysis showed hypomethylation in tumors, while ROC analysis revealed high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 1.0). Although these genes were not significantly associated with overall survival in meta-analysis, they were strongly involved in oncogenic pathways such as EMT, apoptosis, and DNA repair. Predicted miRNAs (e.g., hsa-miR-1178-5p and hsa-miR-31-5p) targeting hub genes were significantly downregulated in OC cell lines. Immune analysis indicated that hub gene expression was correlated with immune subtypes, checkpoint inhibitors, and reduced immune infiltration. Drug sensitivity analysis suggested that high expression of TMED10 and PROM2 may confer susceptibility to chemotherapeutic agents. Functional assays following siRNA-mediated knockdown of TMED10 and PROM2 in A2780 and OVCAR3 cells revealed significant reductions in proliferation, colony formation, and migration. These findings highlight SNRPA1, LSM4, TMED10, and PROM2 as potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in OC, warranting further investigation for clinical translation.
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spelling doaj-art-610467f6b17e4d7c9e3fc174ded4a6322025-08-24T11:33:25ZengBMCHereditas1601-52232025-08-01162111810.1186/s41065-025-00535-zMulti-Omics analysis and in vitro validation reveal diagnostic and therapeutic roles of novel hub genes in ovarian cancerJianmin Wang0Guanghui Song1Lili Xing2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of MedicineCenter for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical CollegeAbstract Ovarian cancer (OC) remains a highly lethal gynecologic malignancy due to late diagnosis and limited therapeutic options. In this study, we aimed to identify and functionally validate novel hub genes associated with OC progression. We integrated four GEO microarray datasets (GSE54388, GSE40595, GSE18521, and GSE12470) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between OC and healthy tissues using the limma package. A total of 22 common DEGs were identified, of which four—SNRPA1, LSM4, TMED10, and PROM2—emerged as hub genes based on PPI network centrality. Expression analyses using TCGA data and RT-qPCR confirmed the significant upregulation of these genes in OC samples. Promoter methylation analysis showed hypomethylation in tumors, while ROC analysis revealed high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 1.0). Although these genes were not significantly associated with overall survival in meta-analysis, they were strongly involved in oncogenic pathways such as EMT, apoptosis, and DNA repair. Predicted miRNAs (e.g., hsa-miR-1178-5p and hsa-miR-31-5p) targeting hub genes were significantly downregulated in OC cell lines. Immune analysis indicated that hub gene expression was correlated with immune subtypes, checkpoint inhibitors, and reduced immune infiltration. Drug sensitivity analysis suggested that high expression of TMED10 and PROM2 may confer susceptibility to chemotherapeutic agents. Functional assays following siRNA-mediated knockdown of TMED10 and PROM2 in A2780 and OVCAR3 cells revealed significant reductions in proliferation, colony formation, and migration. These findings highlight SNRPA1, LSM4, TMED10, and PROM2 as potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in OC, warranting further investigation for clinical translation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41065-025-00535-zOCHub genesBiomarkerTherapeutic target
spellingShingle Jianmin Wang
Guanghui Song
Lili Xing
Multi-Omics analysis and in vitro validation reveal diagnostic and therapeutic roles of novel hub genes in ovarian cancer
Hereditas
OC
Hub genes
Biomarker
Therapeutic target
title Multi-Omics analysis and in vitro validation reveal diagnostic and therapeutic roles of novel hub genes in ovarian cancer
title_full Multi-Omics analysis and in vitro validation reveal diagnostic and therapeutic roles of novel hub genes in ovarian cancer
title_fullStr Multi-Omics analysis and in vitro validation reveal diagnostic and therapeutic roles of novel hub genes in ovarian cancer
title_full_unstemmed Multi-Omics analysis and in vitro validation reveal diagnostic and therapeutic roles of novel hub genes in ovarian cancer
title_short Multi-Omics analysis and in vitro validation reveal diagnostic and therapeutic roles of novel hub genes in ovarian cancer
title_sort multi omics analysis and in vitro validation reveal diagnostic and therapeutic roles of novel hub genes in ovarian cancer
topic OC
Hub genes
Biomarker
Therapeutic target
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41065-025-00535-z
work_keys_str_mv AT jianminwang multiomicsanalysisandinvitrovalidationrevealdiagnosticandtherapeuticrolesofnovelhubgenesinovariancancer
AT guanghuisong multiomicsanalysisandinvitrovalidationrevealdiagnosticandtherapeuticrolesofnovelhubgenesinovariancancer
AT lilixing multiomicsanalysisandinvitrovalidationrevealdiagnosticandtherapeuticrolesofnovelhubgenesinovariancancer