Cancer Science & Therapy

Bioinformatics Analyses of m-RNA Profiling Following Ezrin Knockdown in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Bingli Wu, Chunquan Li, Jianjun Xie, Zepeng Du, Liewei Luo, Jianyi Wu, Pixian Zhang, Liyan Xu and Enmin Li

Ezrin is involves in multiple cancer cell functions. In this study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified from mRNA expression profiling following Ezrin knockdown in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), were analyzed by multiple bioinformatics methods for a comprehensive understanding. Gene Ontology enrichment found significant terms related to immunity, stimulus response, extracellular matrix-binding and signal transduction. Functional Annotation Chart showed except GO categories, these DEGs were annotated by 72 functional category terms. Subpathway analyses revealed the DEGs were involved in 36 subpathways, overwhelming the traditional pathway enrichment. Promoter analyses showed specific sequence patterns and transcription factors correspond to the co-downregulation and co-upregulation of DEGs. MNB1A, DOF2, PBF, YY1, PRRX2, UBX and ARNTAHR co-regulate the downregulated genes, whereas GATA2, ZNF42, deltaEF1, MYCN and ARNT co-regulate the upregulated genes. This paper provides a workflow for a better understanding the roles of Ezrin knockdown in ESCC by the bioinformatics analyses of its DEGs.