Bioinformatics analysis of UNC93B1 gene and prognostic value in breast cancer

Abstract

Background: The Unc-93 homolog B1 (UNC93B1) is a transmembrane protein that is associated with immune diseases such as influenza, herpes simplex encephalitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus; however, the role of UNC93B1 in cancer (including human breast cancer) is known less. The analysis of the association between UNC93B1 expression and breast cancer survival is also unclear. Methods: We used multiple online databases including Oncomine, GEPIA, bcGenExMiner v4.6 and PrognoScan, to conduct bioinformatics analysis of clinical parameters and survival data related to UNC93B1 in breast cancer patients. Results: It was found that UNC93B1 was expressed in different subtypes of breast cancer compared to normal tissues. Scarff-Bloom-Richardson (SBR) classification, Nottingham prognostic index (NPI), estrogen receptor (ER) negative, progesterone receptor (PR) negative epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) positive and lymph node positive are positively correlated with the UNC93B1 level. We found that increased expression of UNC93B1 was associated with worse relapse-free survival, disease-specific survival, and overall survival. We also confirmed the positive correlation between UNC93B1 and ALDH3B1 gene expression. Conclusion: The lower expression of UNC93B1 was correlated with better clinical prognostic parameters and clinical survival in breast cancer on the basis of the bioinformatic analysis.