Transcriptome profiles associated with selenium-deficiency-dependent oxidative stress identify potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in liver cancer cells


Gozen D., KAHRAMAN D. C., Narci K., Shehwana H., KONU KARAKAYALI Ö., Cetin-Atalay R.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY, vol.45, no.2, pp.149-164, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 45 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.3906/biy-2009-56
  • Journal Name: TURKISH JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.149-164
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancer types with high mortality rates and displays increased resistance to various stress conditions such as oxidative stress. Conventional therapies have low efficacies due to resistance and off-target effects in HCC. Here we aimed to analyze oxidative stress-related gene expression profiles of HCC cells and identify genes that could be crucial for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. To identify important genes that cause resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS), a model of oxidative stress upon selenium (Se) deficiency was utilized. The results of transcriptome-wide gene expression data were analyzed in which the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between HCC cell lines that are either resistant or sensitive to Se-deficiency-dependent oxidative stress. These DEGs were further investigated for their importance in oxidative stress resistance by network analysis methods, and 27 genes were defined to have key roles; 16 of which were previously shown to have impact on liver cancer patient survival. These genes might have Se-deficiency-dependent roles in hepatocarcinogenesis and could be further exploited for their potentials as novel targets for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, selenium, oxidative stress, transcriptome-wide