Identification of UGP2 as a progression marker that promotes cell growth and motility in human glioma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most common highly malignant primary brain tumor with poor prognosis. This study aimed to explore the possible mechanism by bioinformatics method and detect potential function of UGP2 of GBM. Gene expression microarray data of GSE4412 and messenger RNA-sequencing data of GBM with samples clinical information were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and The Cancer Genome Atlas database, respectively. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology based on R language. A total of 1000 common DEGs were identified in GBM samples, including 353 upregulated and 647 downregulated genes. Based on the random survival forest model, we identified UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase 2 (UGP2) (upregulated gene) had a significant effect on GBM prognosis. Functional enrichment showed that UGP2 was enriched in the biological progresses of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, UGP2 expression is aberrantly overexpressed in human glioma and positively correlated with pathologic grade. A loss-of-function study showed that knockdown of UGP2 decreases U251 cell growth, migration, and invasion in vivo and vitro. We proposed the development and progression of human glioma were associated with survival based on bioinformatics analysis. We also found that UGP2 might function as prognostic markers in the pathogenesis of GBM.