Abstract
Objectives: Sm proteins (SNRPB/D1/D2/D3/E/F/G), involved in pre-mRNA splicing, were previously reported in the tumorigenesis of several cancers. However, their specific role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains obscure. Our study aims to feature abnormal expressions and mutations of genes for Sm proteins and assess their potential as therapeutic targets via integrated bioinformatics analysis. Methods: In this research, we explored the expression pattern and prognostic worth of genes for Sm proteins in LUAD across TCGA, GEO, UALCAN, Oncomine, Metascape, David 6.8, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter, and confirmed its independent prognostic value via univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis. Meanwhile, their expression patterns were validated by RT-qPCR. Gene mutations and co-expression of genes for Sm proteins were analyzed by the cBioPortal database. The PPI network for Sm proteins in LUAD was visualized by the STRING and Cytoscape. The correlations between genes for Sm proteins and immune infiltration were analyzed by using the "GSVA" R package. Results: Sm proteins genes were found upregulated expression in both LUAD tissues and LUAD cell lines. Moreover, highly expressed mRNA levels for Sm proteins were strongly associated with short survival time in LUAD. Genes for Sm proteins were positively connected with the infiltration of Th2 cells, but negatively connected with the infiltration of mast cells, Th1 cells, and NK cells. Importantly, Cox regression analysis showed that high SNRPD1/E/F/G expression were independent risk factors for the overall survival of LUAD. Conclusion: Our study showed that SNRPD1/E/F/G could independently predict the prognostic outcome of LUAD and was correlated with immune infiltration. Also, this report laid the foundation for additional exploration on the potential treatment target's role of SNRPD1/E/F/G in LUAD.