2. Academic Validation
  3. RNA binding motif protein 25 is a negative prognostic biomarker and promotes cell proliferation via alternative splicing in hepatocellular carcinoma

RNA binding motif protein 25 is a negative prognostic biomarker and promotes cell proliferation via alternative splicing in hepatocellular carcinoma

  • Pathol Res Pract. 2025 May:269:155941. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2025.155941.
Kai Xu 1,  Wanghong Li 2,  Xin Li 1,  Chen Liu 2,  Chao Yi 2,  Jintian Tang 2,  Feng Xue 2,  Boqing Wang 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, China; The Third Clinical Medical College of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, China.
  • 2 Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, China.
  • 3 Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 40186887 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2025.155941
Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the role of RNA binding motif protein 25 (RBM25) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: The expression of RBM25 was analyzed by public databases and IHC assay. The associations between RBM25 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of HCC patients were investigated. Cell proliferation and Apoptosis were measured. RNA Sequencing was utilized to analyze global transcription levels and alternative splicing (AS) events. Furthermore, GO and KEGG analyses based on differentially expressed genes were performed to predict underlying mechanisms.

Results: The high and low expression rates of RBM25 were 55.6 %(133/239) and 44.4 %(106/239), respectively. Furthermore, high level of RBM25 was significantly associated with high level of AFP and poor differentiation. Moreover, liver cirrhosis, differentiation, and RBM25 expression were the independent risk factors related to overall survival (OS). Differentiation and MVI were the independent factors affecting recurrence-free survival (RFS). OS of the case with high RBM25 expression was shorter after hepatectomy than that of low RBM25 expression in liver cirrhosis(-), tumor size ≤ 5 cm, MVI(+) and TNM stage Ⅰ subgroup. Also, high expression of RBM25 was associated with a shorter RFS in tumor size ≤ 5 cm and MVI(+) subgroup. The deletion of RBM25 hindered cell proliferation. RBM25 was involved in AS of multiple genes, including HDAC1, ITGB3BP, RCC1, and TFDP1, which were associated with cell cycle and cell division.

Conclusion: RBM25 could be used as a candidate to evaluate the prognosis of HCC, which might be associated with the role of RBM25 in promoting cell proliferation.

Keywords

RNA binding motif protein 25; alternative splicing; biomarker; hepatocellular carcinoma; prognosis; proliferation.

Figures
Products