The roles of MASPIN expression and subcellular localization in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Accumulating studies have confirmed that MASPIN plays an essential role in NSCLC. However, results are still controversial or inconsistent. In the present study, we attempted to identify the clinical significance of MASPIN and its potential molecular roles in NSCLC. The correlation of MASPIN with prognosis and clinicopathological characteristics was assessed by meta-analysis. Additionally, the potential molecular mechanisms of MASPIN in NSCLC was also investigated through several online databases. 2,220 NSCLC patients from 12 high quality studies were included and the results indicated that upregulated MASPIN nucleus and cytoplasm expression was associated with poor OS (HR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.01 - 2.04, P < 0.05), elevated MASPIN cytoplasm expression was associated with poor OS (HR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.01 - 2.07, P < 0.05), DFS (HR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.31 - 2.88, P = 0.001) and DSS (HR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.18 - 3.99, P = 0.013). MASPIN both nucleus and cytoplasm location were associated with clinicopathological characteristics. Bioinformatics analysis validated the above results and suggested that SERPINB5 hypomethylated levels were negatively correlated with its mRNA expression. Bioinformatics analysis also revealed the 85 most frequently altered neighboring genes of SERPINB5, and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed 20 GO terms and 3 KEGG pathways with statistical significance. MASPIN had a statistically negative correlation with NSCLC prognosis, functioning as an oncoprotein by hypomethylation and influencing specific pathways involving the 85 genes identified herein. MASPIN might be a promising prognostic signature in NSCLC.