Knockdown of CENPF induces cell cycle arrest and inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression in glioma

Gliomas are among the most common malignant tumors of the central nervous system. Despite surgical resection followed by postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy, their prognosis remains unfavorable. The present study aimed to assess new mechanisms and explore promising prognostic biomarkers for patients with glioma using comprehensive bioinformatics analysis and in vitro and in vivo assays. Overlapping differentially expressed genes were screened from The Cancer Genome Atlas, GSE111260 and GSE16011 samples for protein-protein interaction networks, a risk score model, gene mutation analysis and a nomogram to identify the prognostic hub genes. Subsequently, an immunoassay was performed to determine key genes. Functional and animal assays were then performed to assess the tumorigenesis of the key genes in glioma. Using bioinformatics analysis, centromere protein F (CENPF), kinesin superfamily member 20A, kinesin superfamily protein 4A and marker of proliferation Ki-67 were identified as potential prognostic biomarkers for patients with glioma. Furthermore, CENPF knockdown was demonstrated to suppress the proliferation and metastasis of glioma cells, and induce G2 arrest in the cell cycle. Moreover, CENPF knockdown was revealed to decrease Vimentin and increase E-cadherin levels in glioma cells, and significantly reduce the size and mass of tumors in vivo. Overall, the present study identified new clinical biomarkers and revealed that CENPF may promote glioma progression by regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway. By elucidating the complexities of glioma and identifying prognostic biomarkers, the present research enables further improvement of patient outcomes and the advancement of precision medicine for this disease.