Analysis of Significant Genes and Pathways in Esophageal Cancer Based on Gene Expression Omnibus Database

Objective To screen antigen targets for immunotherapy by analyzing over-expressed genes,and to identify significant pathways and molecular mechanisms in esophageal cancer by using bioinformatic methods such as enrichment analysis,protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,and survival analysis based on the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.Methods By screening with highly expressed genes,we mainly analyzed proteins MUC13 and EPCAM with transmembrane domain and antigen epitope from TMHMM and IEDB websites.Significant genes and pathways associated with the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer were identified using enrichment analysis,PPI network,and survival analysis.Several software and platforms including Prism 8,R language,Cytoscape,DAVID,STRING,and GEPIA platform were used in the search and/or figure creation.Results Genes MUC13 and EPCAM were over-expressed with several antigen epitopes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)tissue.Enrichment analysis revealed that the process of keratinization was focused and a series of genes were related with the development of esophageal cancer.Four genes including ALDH3A1,C2,SLC6A1,and ZBTB7C were screened with significant P value of survival curve.Conclusions Genes MUC13 and EPCAM may be promising antigen targets or biomarkers for esophageal cancer.Keratinization may greatly impact the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer.Genes ALDH3A1,C2,SLC6A1,and ZBTB7C may play important roles in the development of esophageal cancer.

Dcalycinumines A-E,Alkaloids with Cytotoxic Activities of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells from Daphniphyllum calycinum

Fivenovel Daphniphyllum alkaloids,named dcalycinumines A-E(1-4,6),andeight previously described Daphniphyllum alkaloids(5,7-13)were isolated from Daphniphyllum calycinum.Compound 1 is the first Daphniphyllum alkaloid possessing a highly rearranged 6/6/6/7/5/6 hexacyclic architecture with a unique 3-methyl-1-azabicyclo[4,4,0]decane ring system.Compound 2 represents a rare diamino Daphniphyllum alkaloid with an unprecedented 6/5/5/6/6/5 carbon skeleton featuring a unique 1-aza-6-azaspiro[4,5]decane unit,whereas 3 also represents a rare diamino Daphniphyllum alkaloid as a possible precursor of 2.Compound 4 is the second example of c-22-nor yuzurimine-type alkaloids.Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by HRESIMS,NMR spectroscopic analyses,EcD calculations,and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.Moreover,compound 1 showed remarkable antitumor activities,which could inhibit the proliferation,migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells,and promoted nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells apoptosis.