Gene modules and non-coding RNAs involved in pancreatic tumorigenesis through acinar ductal metaplasia

Abstract

Background Acinar ductal metaplasia (ADM) can progress through pancreatic ductal carcinoma in situ (PanIN) to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the genetic alterations and its transcriptional regulators during the process of ADM-driven PDAC tumorigenesis are largely unknown. Therefore, we applied a multidimensional integration strategy to unveil the gene modules and non-coding RNAs that drives the ADM-PanIN-PDAC process. Methods GSE40895 and the microarray datasets were integrated to unmask the regulators link ADM, PanIN and PDAC. Based on the differential expressed genes and protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks for each stage, Overlap and crosstalk gene modules in ADM-PanIN-PDAC were identified using STRING and Cytoscape. Function of these modules were elucidated by gene ontology analysis. Expression level of hub genes and survival analysis were investigated in human PDAC via GEPIA. MiRDB database was applied to predict potential non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) capable of regulating overlap and crosstalk genes. Results We found several bridging ADM gene modules (e.g. SMARCA1 and H2AFZ), PanIN gene modules (e.g. HDAC11 and SMARCA2) and PDAC gene modules (e.g. OLFR239 and CLIP3). They were enriched in in nucleosome assembly, chromatin organization and G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway by GO analysis. MicroRNAs (e.g. mmu-miR-335-5p and mmu-miR-669n) and lncRNAs (e.g. H19 and Gm14207) took part in this ample crosstalk by regulating the gene expression. Conclusions SMARCA1, SMARCA2 and CLIP3 were identified as novel crosstalk genes and significant prognostic biomarkers, providing new insights into ADM-driven PDAC carcinogenesis. Transcriptional regulatory non-coding RNAs targeting crosstalk and overlap genes appear promising for early PDAC intervention.