Clinical and pathological significance of upregulated RPL32 expression in prostate cancer

This study investigates the expression and function of the ribosomal protein L32 (RPL32) gene in prostate cancer (PCa). By integrating data from multiple databases, we found that RPL32 expression is significantly upregulated in PCa tissues, with a potential causal relationship between this upregulation and the risk of developing PCa. The study analyzed PCa-related mRNA data from the GEO, ArrayExpress, SRA, and TCGA databases, encompassing a total of 2,327 cases. Our analysis revealed a statistically significant upregulation of RPL32 expression across multiple datasets, and Mendelian randomization(MR) methods further indicated a potential causal link between RPL32 and PCa risk. The CRISPR screening analysis revealed that gene knockout significantly inhibited the proliferative activity of PCa cells. Immunohistochemical experiments confirmed the elevated expression of RPL32 in PCa tissues, and a weak positive correlation was observed between its expression and the Gleason score. Additionally, using the DGIdb database, ATALUREN was identified as a potential therapeutic drug linked to RPL32. In conclusion, RPL32 may serve as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for PCa, offering new insights and a theoretical foundation for the precise treatment of this cancer.