Study on DLGAP5 and MELK as potential biomarkers in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective : The objective of this research was to investigate the high expression of DLGAP5 and MELK as molecular biomarkers involved in the regulation of the occurrence in ESCC. Methods : Through bioinformatics analysis, ESCC-related datasets GSE17351 and GSE20347 were downloaded from GEO database. In addition, de-batch treatment, DEGs screening, functional enrichment analysis, GSEA, WGCNA, PPI network construction and analysis were carried out. Mapping gene expression calorimetry. Immunoinfiltration analysis and CTD analysis were conducted. TargetScan was employed to identify miRNA that regulate DEG. RT-qPCR was used to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of potential biomarkers. Results : The results showed that 1144 DEGs were identified, which were primarily focused on biological processes such as cell cycle, REDOX enzyme activity, serine hydrolase activity, cell proliferation and tissue development. KEGG analysis highlighted that these DEGs were predominantly enriched in fatty acid metabolism, IL-17 signaling pathway and p53 signaling pathway. For Metascape, there were positive regulation of DNA metabolism,cell cycle and mitotic cytoplasmic division in the enrichment project of GO. Then, DLGAP5 and MELK were identified as potential biomarkers in ESCC. We found that DLGAP5 and MELK were highly expressed in ESCC group. CTD analysis found that these biomarkers were related to precancerous lesions,esophageal diseases and pain. RT-qPCR further verified that the high expression of DLGAP5 and MELK in mRNA levels of ESCC. Conclusion : DLGAP5 and MELK were over-expressed in ESCC and play roles in its occurrence and progression, making them potential biomarkers for screening.