Epigenetic regulation of FOXI2 promotes clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression.

Abstract

In recent decades, substantial advancements in epigenetics have unveiled a profound understanding of its mechanisms in tumorigenesis and have offered promising strategies for epigenetic therapy in cancer patients. In our study, through bioinformatics analysis, we discovered a significant downregulation and hypermethylation of FOXI2 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), while the expression in chromophobe cell carcinoma (chRCC) exhibited the opposite trend. Moreover, we established a strong correlation between FOXI2 expression levels and the prognosis of ccRCC. Gene enrichment analysis and cell function experiments unequivocally demonstrate that FOXI2 possesses the capability to induce cell cycle arrest and inhibit cell proliferation. Our research findings demonstrate that the expression of FOXI2 in ccRCC is under the regulation of promoter hypermethylation. Furthermore, in vitro experiments have conclusively shown that the overexpression of FOXI2 induces cell cycle arrest and inhibits cell proliferation.

• Authors: Shuai Zhou, Cong Cheng, Yi Xiang Liao, Li Wang, Jin Min Zeng, Fang Fang Zhou, Xiu Qin Zhang, Tao Yang
• Journal: Heliyon (Heliyon) Vol. 10 Issue 8 Pg. e29218 (Apr 30 2024) ISSN: 2405-8440 [Print] England
• PMID: 38628758 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2024 The Authors.