Identification of a Novel Prognostic Signature for Breast Cancer Based
on Post-translational Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-Like Modification-Related
Genes
Abstract
Background: Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like (UUL) modifications play
pleiotropic functions and are subject to fine regulatory mechanisms
frequently altered in cancer. However, the comprehensive impact of UUL
modification on breast cancer remains unclear. Methods: Transcriptomic
and clinical data of breast cancer were downloaded from TCGA and GEO
databases. Molecular subtyping of breast cancer was conducted using the
NMF and CIBERSORT algorithms. Prognostic genes were identified via
univariate, lasso and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Clinical
pathological features, immune cell infiltration, immune therapeutic
response and chemotherapy drug sensitivity were compared between groups
using the Wilcoxon test. Survival analysis was performed using the
Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results: In breast cancer, 63 UUL
modification-related genes were differentially expressed, with 29
up-regulated and 34 down-regulated genes. These genes were used to
generate two UUL modification patterns that exhibited significant
differences in prognostic features and immune cell infiltration. The UUL
modification patterns were associated with 2038 differentially expressed
genes that were significantly enriched in nuclear division, chromosome
segregation, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, cell cycle, and
other biological processes. Of these genes, 425 were associated with
breast cancer prognosis, which enabled the classification of breast
cancer into two clusters with significantly distinct prognoses. We
developed a prognostic model, UULscore, which comprised nine genes and
showed a significant correlation with partial immune cell infiltration.
Furthermore, UULscore demonstrated potential predictive value in breast
cancer overall survival prediction, immune therapeutic response, and
chemotherapy drug sensitivity. UULscore, stage, radiotherapy, and
chemotherapy were identified as independent prognostic factors for
breast cancer. Based on these factors, a nomogram model was constructed,
which demonstrated exceptional prognostic predictive performance.
Conclusion: In conclusion, we identified two UUL modification-derived
molecular subtypes in breast cancer, and have successfully constructed a
risk scoring model that holds potential value in prognosis, immune
infiltration, immune therapeutic response, and chemotherapy sensitivity.