Identifying the mitochondrial ribosomal protein MRPL13 as an oncogenic RBP that promotes proliferation, migration, and anti-apoptotic effects in esophageal cancer cells

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Purpose</h3> The correct transcription, processing and function of RNAs are the prerequisites of cell life. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are responsible for coordinating the biogenesis of RNA in cells and play a central role in the cellular processes of many diseases. Esophageal cancer (ESCA) is a high incidence of human malignant tumor with a complex molecular mechanism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the important role of RBPs in ESCA. <h3>Methods</h3> TCGA-ESCA, IMvigor-210 and GSE53624 repositories were used to obtain esophageal cancer omics data and clinical information. Differential expression analysis, protein-protein interaction and LASSO methods were used to construct the risk signature. Kaplan-Meier and ROC methods were used to analyze the relationship between risk and prognostic. XCell, QUANRISEQ, MCPcounter, EPIC, CIBERSORT, ssGSEA and Estimate algorithm were used to evaluate the abundance of various components of the immune microenvironment. Gene enrichment variation analysis (GSVA) was performed to analyze molecular differences. EdU, transwell and flow cytometry assays were performed to detected proliferation, migration and apoptosis level of ESCA cell lines. <h3>Results</h3> We visualized the core internal protein-protein interaction of 279 differential expression RBPs, and a 7-RBP risk signature was established. Riskscore was negative correlated with survival time. Meanwhile, high risk groups portend advanced stage, more macrophage and less CD4⁺ T/master cell infiltration enriched, hyperactive proliferation signal, and different therapeutic response. Finally, we found that RBP MRPL13 is upregulated in esophageal cancer, and its expression is associated with patients' prognostic. MRPL13 is closely correlated with multiple signaling pathways, as well MRPL13 could promote cell proliferation, migration and anti-apoptosis. <h3>Conclusion</h3> RNA binding proteins are prognostic marker of esophageal cancer, which could provide clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies. RBP MRPL13 facilitated esophageal cancer progression.