Bioinformatic identification reveals a m6A-binding protein, IGF2BP2, as a novel tumor-promoting gene signature in thyroid carcinoma

Yang Xie; Junqi Xiao; Yong Ying; Jiafeng Liu; Leiying Zhang; Xiangtai Zeng

doi:10.1007/s00210-024-02961-8

Bioinformatic identification reveals a m6A-binding protein, IGF2BP2, as a novel tumor-promoting gene signature in thyroid carcinoma

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2024 Jan 30. doi: 10.1007/s00210-024-02961-8. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yang Xie^{1

2

3

4}, Junqi Xiao⁵, Yong Ying², Jiafeng Liu², Leiying Zhang⁶, Xiangtai Zeng^{7

8

9

10}

Affiliations

¹ Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
² Department of Thyroid and Hernia Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, No. 23, Qingnian Road, Zhanggong District, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi Province, China.
³ Institute of Thyroid Diseases, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China.
⁴ Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Thyroid Tumor, Ganzhou, China.
⁵ Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China.
⁶ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China.
⁷ Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China. xiangtai.zeng@gmu.edu.cn.
⁸ Department of Thyroid and Hernia Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, No. 23, Qingnian Road, Zhanggong District, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi Province, China. xiangtai.zeng@gmu.edu.cn.
⁹ Institute of Thyroid Diseases, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China. xiangtai.zeng@gmu.edu.cn.
¹⁰ Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Thyroid Tumor, Ganzhou, China. xiangtai.zeng@gmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38289368
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-02961-8

Abstract

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays a crucial role in thyroid carcinoma (THCA). Insulin-like growth factor 2 binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) is a m6A-binding protein. We aimed to explore the effect of IGF2BP2 on the development of THCA. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened from GSE50901 and GSE60542 datasets. LinkedOmics, Genebank, and Sequence-based RNA Adenosine Methylation Site Predictor databases were employed to find potential m6A modification sites. Protein-protein interaction network and receiver-operating characteristic curves were applied to determine hub genes of THCA. ESTIMATE revealed the effect of IGF2BP2 on tumor immunity. The mRNA expression of IGF2BP2 was detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The viability, migration, and invasion were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8, wound healing, and transwell assays. A total of 166 common DEGs were identified from GSE50901 and GSE60542 datasets. One m6A-related gene, IGF2BP2, was differentially expressed in THCA and selected as the research target. The hub genes (CD44, DCN, CXCL12, ICAM1, SDC4, KIT, CTGF, and FMOD) were identified with high prediction values for THCA. Subsequently, the target genes of IGF2BP2, SDC4, and ICAM1, which had potential m6A modification sites, were screened out based on the hub genes. IGF2BP2 was upregulated in THCA and IGF2BP2 expression was positively correlated with immune infiltration in THCA. Additionally, knockdown of IGF2BP2 inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of THCA cells. IGF2BP2 has a contributory effect on the progression of THCA, which is a novel biomarker and a therapeutic target for THCA.

Keywords: Biomarker; Differentially expressed gene; IGF2BP2; N6-methyladenosine modification; Thyroid carcinoma.

Abstract

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