Biological characterization and clinical value of PLOD gene family in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Background Studies have identified that procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase (PLOD) gene family is closely related to tumor progression and metastasis in various cancers. However, the expression pattern, clinical value and function of PLOD gene family in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) have not yet been studied. Methods We investigated the expression, prognostic value, immune cell infiltration, genetic mutation, cell migration, and biological function of the PLOD gene family in ccRCC through comprehensive bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation, and predicted potential chemicals which regulate the expression of PLOD gene family using comparative toxicogenomics database (CTD) and docking analysis. Results The mRNA and protein expressions of PLOD gene family were highly increased in ccRCC tissues compared with normal tissues, and high expressions of all the three PLOD genes were positively related to every clinicopathological stages, poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in ccRCC patients. Fifty co-expressed genes of PLODs were found related with ccRCC. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that collagen synthesis, ECM-receptor interaction and lysine degradation were key biological functions of PLODs in ccRCC. A variety of chemicals were predicted to regulate the expression of PLOD gene family especially acetaminophen. Conclusion High expression of PLOD gene family is closely related to poor prognosis of ccRCC and they can predict any stage of ccRCC. PLOD gene family may serve as a prognostic biomarker and even a therapeutic target for ccRCC.