RNA Binding Protein-related bioinformatics analysis reveals that PCF11 is a prognostic biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background: RNA binding proteins (RBPs) play important roles in tumor carcinogenesis and progression. However, the underlying mechanisms of RBPs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are still unclear. This study was aimed to explore the prognostic value of RBP-related genes in OSCC. Methods: Transcriptome and clinical data of OSCC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and the differentially-expressed RBPs were screened via R software. Then, we constructed a risk model and preformed comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. After that, the prognostic related RBPs were screened out and verified by other cohorts from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database subsequently. In the end, the target RBP, were investigated in OSCC cell lines and in 84 OSCC patients. Results: A total of 249 differentially-expressd RBPs were screened out and PPI networks were established. 7 prognostic RBPs were obtained via Cox regression analysis. Furthermore, we successfully established a prognostic model and plotted a nomogram to visualize this model. Subsequently, 5 RBPs were selected out by survival analysis and only PCF11 was significantly differentially-expressed in OSCC after verifying them in GEO database. GSEA analysis showed that low expression of PCF11 was associated with the enhancement of oxidative phosphorylation(OXPHOS) and proteasome. In addition, PCR and immunohistochemical staining results revealed that PCF11 expression were down-regulated in OSCC cells and tissues. And the down-regulation of PCF11 was remarkably showed in advanced OSCC patients. Conclusions: RBPs might be potential biomarkers in OSCC, provided a novel target for the diagnosis and therapy of OSCC.