Potential of Mitochondrial Ribosomal Genes as Cancer Biomarkers Demonstrated by Bioinformatics Results

Shunchao Bao; Xinyu Wang; Mo Li; Zhao Gao; Dongdong Zheng; Dihan Shen; Linlin Liu

doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.835549

Potential of Mitochondrial Ribosomal Genes as Cancer Biomarkers Demonstrated by Bioinformatics Results

Front Oncol. 2022 May 26:12:835549. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.835549. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Shunchao Bao¹, Xinyu Wang², Mo Li¹, Zhao Gao³, Dongdong Zheng⁴, Dihan Shen⁵, Linlin Liu¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiotherapy, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
² Department of Breast Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
³ Nuclear Medicine Department, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
⁴ Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
⁵ Medical Research Center, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics analyses have clearly revealed the roles of mitochondrial ribosomal genes in cancer development. Mitochondrial ribosomes are composed of three RNA components encoded by mitochondrial DNA and 82 specific protein components encoded by nuclear DNA. They synthesize mitochondrial inner membrane oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS)-related proteins and participate in various biological activities via the regulation of energy metabolism and apoptosis. Mitochondrial ribosomal genes are strongly associated with clinical features such as prognosis and foci metastasis in patients with cancer. Accordingly, mitochondrial ribosomes have become an important focus of cancer research. We review recent advances in bioinformatics research that have explored the link between mitochondrial ribosomes and cancer, with a focus on the potential of mitochondrial ribosomal genes as biomarkers in cancer.

Keywords: apoptosis; bioinformatics; biomarker; cancer; energy metabolism; mitochondrial ribosome.

Publication types

Review