Pan-cancer analysis of GNG12 in tumors and experimental validation in TNBC

Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein Subunit Gamma-12 (GNG12), a crucial member of the G protein γ subunit family, plays a role in multiple cancers. However, the role of GNG12 in cancer prognosis and immunology remains largely unknown. We analyzed the expression, diagnosis, and prognosis of GNG12 in pan-cancer, particularly in TNBC, using The Sparkle database, UALCAN, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, GEO, and GEPIA tool. The mutations, phosphorylation, and methylation of GNG12 in pan-cancer were investigated through cBioPortal, PhosphoNET, AlphaFold, SangerBox, and UALCAN tool. The relationship between GNG12 expression and signaling pathways, immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, and immunomodulators was analyzed through STRING, CancerSEA, KEGG, and GSCA. Finally, the effects of knockdown and overexpression of GNG12 on TNBC proliferation, migration, invasion, and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were investigated. GNG12 is lowly expressed in most cancers and is associated with prognosis. GNG12 is correlated with multiple signaling pathways and the immune microenvironment. Overexpression of GNG12 inhibits TNBC proliferation, migration, invasion, and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. A comprehensive pan-cancer analysis reveals the potential of GNG12 in tumor-targeted therapy and suggests GNG12 as a promising prognostic and immune pan-cancer biomarker.