Transcription Analysis of the THBS2 Gene through Regulation by Potential Noncoding Diagnostic Biomarkers and Oncogenes of Gastric Cancer in the ECM-Receptor ...
This study identified THBS2 as a potential gastric cancer biomarker, alongside lncRNAs BAIAP2-AS1, TSIX, and LINC01215. Integrated bioinformatics and qRT-PCR analyses revealed their upregulation and implicated THBS2 in extracellular matrix–receptor signaling.
Ali Barani, Kamyar Beikverdi, Benyamin Mashhadi, Naeimeh Parsapour, Mohammad Rezaei, Pegah Javid, Mansoureh Azadeh · October 21, 2026
Background
Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death worldwide and the fourth most common malignancy. Despite significant improvements in patient survival over the past few decades, the prognosis for patients with GC remains dismal because of the high recurrence rate. In this comprehensive system biology and experimental investigation, we aimed to find new novel diagnostic biomarkers of GC through a regulatory RNA interaction network.
Methods
Gene expression, coexpression, and survival analyses were performed using microarray and RNAseq datasets (analyzed by RStudio, GEPIA2, and ENCORI). RNA interaction analysis was performed using miRWalk and ENCORI online databases. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to find related signaling pathways of up-and downregulated genes in the microarray dataset. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis were performed by the enrichr database. Protein interaction analysis was performed by STRING online database. Validation of expression and coexpression analyses was performed using a qRT-PCR experiment.
Results
Based on bioinformatics analyses, THBS2 (FC: 7.14, FDR< 0 0001) has a significantly high expression in GC samples. lncRNAs BAIAP2-AS1, TSIX, and LINC01215 have RNA interaction with THBS2. BAIAP2-AS1 (FC: 1.44, FDR: 0.018), TSIX (FC: 1.34, FDR: 0.038), and LINC01215 (FC: 1.19, FDR: 0.046) have significant upregulation in GC samples. THBS2 has a significant role in the regulation of the ECM-receptor signaling pathway. miR-4677-5p has a significant RNA interaction with THBS2. The …