DDX17 modulates expression and alternative splicing of genes involved in cell apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells

ABSTRACT: Accumulating evidence indicates that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are involved in tumorigenesis. As a member of DEAD-box RBPs, DDX17 has a significant role in various contexts, such as mRNA translation, pre-mRNA splicing, ribosome biogenesis, and DNA repair. However, whether DDX17 is involved in the regulation of gene expression and alternative splicing in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. Methods: CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate cells proliferation. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by an Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) apoptosis detection kit. We used high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to determine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and alternative splicing (AS) events in DDX17 knockdown LUAD cells. Functional and pathway enrichment analysis was also performed. Results: Knockdown of DDX17 by siRNA significantly inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis in A549 cells. 5243 DEGs were identified. Functional enrichment analyses indicated that these genes were mainly enriched in biological processes including regulation of transcription, regulation of cell growth, DNA repair. DDX17 knockdown increased the level of pro-apoptotic gene expression and decreased the expression of pro-proliferation genes. We also showed that DDX17-regulated AS events revealed by computational analysis using ABLas software in A549 cells were highly validated by RT-qPCR, and also validated by TCGA-LUAD dataset. Functional enrichment analyses showed regulated alternatively spliced genes (RASGs) were mainly enriched in biological processes related to apoptotic process, DNA repair, positive regulation of translation, positive regulation of apoptotic process. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that DDX17 may function as an oncogene by regulating both the expression and the alternative splicing of genes associated with proliferation, invasion and apoptosis in LUAD cells. Our findings may bring new insights into understanding the molecular mechanisms of LUAD and provide a new direction for LUAD treatment.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE196835 | GEO | 2022/07/28

REPOSITORIES: GEO