SKA3 overexpression predicts poor outcomes in skin cutaneous melanoma patients

Hao Pang; Yongting Zhou; Jie Wang; Hao Wu; Chenyang Cui; Zhibo Xiao

doi:10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101253

SKA3 overexpression predicts poor outcomes in skin cutaneous melanoma patients

Transl Oncol. 2022 Jan;15(1):101253. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101253. Epub 2021 Oct 29.

Authors

Hao Pang¹, Yongting Zhou¹, Jie Wang¹, Hao Wu¹, Chenyang Cui¹, Zhibo Xiao²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Avenue, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China.
² Department of Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Avenue, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China. Electronic address: xiaozhibodoctor@126.com.

Abstract

Background: Spindle and Kinetochore Associated Complex Subunit 3 (SKA3) is a part of the SKA complex, which plays a key role in cell mitosis. Studies have shown that SKA3 was associated with cancer progression. However, its role in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) remains unclear. Here, we investigated the expression level and prognostic value of SKA3 in SKCM.

Methods: Based on public databases, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the different expression of SKA3 between SKCM and normal tissues. Then, the relationship between SKA3 expression level and prognosis was assessed. PPI network and functional enrichment analysis were performed. ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT were expected to evaluate the SKA3 expression and immune status. CCK8, wound healing, transwell assays and tumor xenograft trial were performed to detect the SKA3 function in cell viability, migration and invasion of the cell lines.

Results: The SKA3 was highly expressed in SKCM tissues. SKA3 overexpression was associated with poor survival and immune status. SKA3 knockdown inhibited cell viability, migration and invasion of SKCM cells.

Conclusion: SKA3 is involved in the progression of SKCM and may serve as a new prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

Keywords: Prognosis; SKA3; Skin cutaneous melanoma; Tumor microenvironment.