Polycomb group (PcG)
proteins form at least two key complexes, namely
polycomb repressive complex 1 and
polycomb repressive complex 2. These complexes are involved in the progression of various
cancers. Systematic research has not been conducted on the aberrant expression of PcG members in
gliomas. Using the Chinese
Glioma Genome Atlas data set, PcG expression patterns between normal brain tissues and
glioma samples were analyzed, and a PcG-based classifier was then developed using BRB Cox regression and risk-score model. These results were validated in an independent GSE16011 set. A total of six PcGs [chromobox
protein homolog (CBX) 6, CBX7, PHD finger
protein 1,
enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2),
DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 3β (DNMT3B) and polyhomeotic-like
protein 2] were identified to be associated with
glioma grade. Survival analysis then revealed a five-PcG gene signature one protective gene (enhancer of zeste homolog 1) and four risky genes (EZH2, PHD finger
protein 19, DNMT3A and DNMT3B), which may identify patients with high risk of poor prognosis of
glioma. Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that the five-PcG signature was an independent prognostic
biomarker. These findings indicated that a novel prognostic classifier, five-PcG signature, served as an independent prognostic marker for patients with
glioma.