Identifying SLC27A5 as a potential prognostic marker of hepatocellular carcinoma by weighted gene co-expression network analysis and in vitro assays

BACKGROUND: The incidence and mortality rates of hepatocellular carcinoma are among the highest of all cancers all over the world. However the survival rates are relatively low due to lack of effective treatments. Efforts to elucidate the mechanisms of HCC and to find novel prognostic markers and therapeutic targets are ongoing. Here we tried to identify prognostic genes of HCC through co-expression network analysis. METHODS: We conducted weighted gene co-expression network analysis with a microarray dataset GSE14520 of HCC from Gene Expression Omnibus database and identified a hub module associated with HCC prognosis. Function enrichment analysis of the hub module was performed. Clinical information was analyzed to select candidate hub genes. The expression profiles and survival analysis of the selected genes were performed using additional datasets (GSE45267 and TCGA-LIHC) and the hub gene was identified. GSEA and in vitro experiments were conducted to further verify the function of the hub gene. RESULTS: Genes in the hub module were mostly involved in the metabolism pathway. Four genes (SLC27A5, SLC10A1, PCK2 and FMO4) from the module were identified as candidate hub genes according to correlation analysis with prognostic indicators. All these genes were significantly down-regulated in tumor tissues compared with non-tumor tissues in additional datasets. After survival analysis and network construction, SLC27A5 was selected as a prognostic marker. GSEA analysis and in vitro assays suggested that SLC27A5 downregulation promoted tumor cell migration via enhancing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CONCLUSION: SLC27A5 is a potential biomarker of HCC and SLC27A5 downregulation promoted HCC progression by enhancing EMT. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-01871-6.