To explore the core genes and their regulatory networks related to the occurrence and progression of prostate cancer.

Gene expression data of 495 prostate cancer and 52 control samples, methylation microarray data of 498 prostate cancer and 50 control samples, miRNA expression profile data of 494 prostate cancer and 52 control samples were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) database from November 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. From December 1, 2020 to December 30, 2020, prostate cancer-related genes on NCBI-gene and OMIM were integrated to construct the expression profile matrix of prostate cancer-causing genes, including coding pro-tein genes, non-coding genes and methylated genes. Differential analysis, co-expression network analysis and pivot analysis were performed.

A total of 1 083 differentially expressed protein-coding genes were screened out, and 149 differentially expressed lncRNAs were found. Nine modules were found, and the most relevant modules for prostate cancer were brown and turquoise modules (P<0.001). The turquoise module could divide the samples into two clusters, and there was a statistically significant difference in the number of prostate cancer samples between the two clusters (163 cases vs.332 cases, P<0.05). Enrichment analysis showed that the turquoise module gene was related to biological processes such as cell adhesion and cell migration. These genes were involved in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathways. It was correlated with the disease (P<0.05). Protein mutual analysis identified five differentially expressed genes, including lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1) and human adenylate cyclase 5(ADCY5). A total of 651 differentially methylated loci were screened, and 31 genes were significantly expressed in the cyan module, which were also differentially expressed genes. There were 55 differential mirnas, and the regulators involved in these mirnas included CRNDE, FENDRR, NEAT1 and H19. Pivot molecules of differential transcription factors include KLF5, PGR, TWIST1 and TWIST2.

Multiple differentially expressed protein-coding genes and ncRNAs affect the incidence and progression of prostate cancer by affecting cell migration, regulating transcription factors and gene methylation regulation, which provides a theoretical basis for understanding the mechanism and potential therapeutic targets of prostate cancer.

Prostatic Neoplasms; Genes; Mutation