The Identification of RNA Modification Gene PUS7 as a Potential Biomarker of Ovarian Cancer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: RNA modifications are involved in a variety of diseases, including cancers. Given the lack of efficient and reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer (OV), this study was designed to explore the role of RNA modification genes (RMGs) in the diagnosis of OV. The study first selected PUS7 (Pseudouridine Synthase 7) as a diagnostic biomarker candidate through the analysis of differentially expressed genes using TCGA and GEO data. Then, we evaluated its specificity and sensitivity using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis in TCGA and GEO data. The protein expression, mutation, protein interaction networks, correlated genes, related pathways, biological processes, cell components, and molecular functions were analyzed for PUS7 as well. The upregulation of PUS7 protein in OV was confirmed by the staining images in HPA and tissue arrays. In conclusion, the findings of the present study point towards the potential of PUS7 as the diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. ABSTRACT: RNA modifications are reversible, dynamically regulated, and involved in a variety of diseases such as cancers. Given the lack of efficient and reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer (OV), this study was designed to explore the role of RNA modification genes (RMGs) in the diagnosis of OV. Herein, 132 RMGs were retrieved in PubMed, 638 OV and 18 normal ovary samples were retrieved in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and GSE18520 cohorts were collected for differential analysis. Finally, PUS7 (Pseudouridine Synthase 7) as differentially expressed RMGs (DEGs-RMGs) was identified as a diagnostic biomarker candidate and evaluated for its specificity and sensitivity using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis in TCGA and GEO data. The protein expression, mutation, protein interaction networks, correlated genes, related pathways, biological processes, cell components, and molecular functions of PUS7 were analyzed as well. The upregulation of PUS7 protein in OV was confirmed by the staining images in HPA and tissue arrays. Collectively, the findings of the present study point towards the potential of PUS7 as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.