Transcriptome sequencing identifies genes associated with invasion of ovarian cancer

Abstract

Objective To identify key genes in ovarian cancer using transcriptome sequencing in two cell lines: MCV152 (benign ovarian epithelial tumour) and SKOV-3 (ovarian serous carcinoma). Methods Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between SKOV-3 and MCV152 were identified. Candidate genes were assessed for enrichment in gene ontology function and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes pathway. Candidate gene expression in SKOV-3 and MCV152 cells was validated using Western blots. Results A total of 2020 upregulated and 1673 downregulated DEGs between SKOV3 and MCV152 cells were identified that were significantly enriched in the cell adhesion function. Upregulated DEGs, such as angiopoietin 2 ( ANGPT2), CD19 molecule ( CD19), collagen type IV alpha 3 chain ( COL4A3), fibroblast growth factor 18 ( FGF18), integrin subunit beta 4 ( ITGB4), integrin subunit beta 8 ( ITGB8), laminin subunit alpha 3 ( LAMA3), laminin subunit gamma 2 ( LAMC2), protein phosphatase 2 regulatory subunit Bgamma ( PPP2R2C) and spleen associated tyrosine kinase ( SYK) were significantly involved in the extracellular matrix-receptor interaction pathway. Downregulated DEGs, such as AKT serine/threonine kinase 3 ( AKT3), collagen type VI alpha 1 chain ( COL6A1), colony stimulating factor 3 ( CSF3), fibroblast growth factor 1 ( FGF1), integrin subunit alpha 2 ( ITGA2), integrin subunit alpha 11 ( ITGA11), MYB proto-oncogene, transcription factor ( MYB), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2, mitochondrial ( PCK2), placental growth factor ( PGF), phosphoinositide-3-kinase adaptor protein 1 ( PIK3AP1), serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 ( SGK1), toll like receptor 4 ( TLR4) and tumour protein p53 ( TP53) were involved in PI3K-Akt signalling. Expression of these DEGs was confirmed by Western blot analyses. Conclusion Candidate genes enriched in cell adhesion, extracellular matrix–receptor interaction and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways were identified that may be closely associated with ovarian cancer invasion and potential targets for ovarian cancer treatment.