Abstract
BACKGROUND: The High Mobility Group Nucleosomal Binding Domain 1 Gene (HMGN1) is crucial for epigenetic regulation. However, the specific function of HMGN1 in cancer development is unclear. METHODS: Raw data on HMGN1 expression were procured from Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), the University of Alabama- Birmingham CANcer data analysis Portal (UALCAN), and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Thereafter, the pan-cancer analysis was implemented to understand the HMGN1 expression patterns, prognostic value, and immunological features. Furthermore, the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was executed via R language. In addition, the relationship between HMGN1 and the sensitivity of antitumor drugs was also determined. Finally, real-time PCR (RT-PCR) experiments were carried out. RESULTS: Pan-cancer analysis revealed that HMGN1 was upregulated in several solid tumors and was associated with pathological staging and poor prognosis. In addition, HMGN1 was found to be involved in regulating the tumor microenvironment. The GSEA enrichment analysis indicated that HMGN1 assisted in the regulation of oncogenic processes, especially metabolic and immune pathways. Furthermore, HMGN1 expression was linked to microsatellite instability (MSI) and tumor mutational burden (TMB) across diverse tumor types. RT-PCR assays indicated that HMGN1 was overexpressed in the gastric and breast cancer cell lines and tissues. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the potential of HMGN1 as a biomarker for pan-cancer analysis.