Development and validation of novel proliferation-related gene signature for MSS colorectal cancer prognosis

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is classified into microsatellite instability (MSI) and microsatellite stabilized (MSS) based on the differences in DNA repair mechanisms. In recent years, many studies have proved that some emerging therapeutic approaches have good therapeutic effects on MSI as a subtype but are ineffective for MSS as a subtype. This paper aims to start with the molecular mechanism of MSS and try to find the characteristic target genes of MSS as a subtype. We used bioinformatics techniques and machine learning to find GTF2IRD1. The gene GTF2IRD1 is highly expressed in MSS-type CRC but is stable in MSI. Subsequently, we verified its expression and function with relevant experiments. We demonstrated that GTF2IRD1 can promote the proliferation of MSS-type colorectal cancer and correlate with the poor prognosis of MSS-type colorectal cancer patients, which may provide a potential target gene for the clinical treatment of MSS-type colorectal cancer.