Turkish Journal of Biochemistry, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Objectives: To control mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways involved in the onset and progression of cancer, dual specificity phosphatases (DUSPs/ MKP) are essential. This study seeks to detect the correlation between eyelid tumors and the genes DUSPs, known for their influence on MAPK signaling pathways. Additionally, we aim to juxtapose our findings with analyses from various bioinformatics databases. Methods: Expression levels of relevant genes in cDNA samples were determined by quantitative PCR method. Open-access databases were used for mutation analysis of relevant genes, mRNA expression changes, and survival analyses, and the STRING database was used for protein-protein interactions. Results: It was found that the expression of DUSP1 and DUSP2 showed a significant decrease in the tumor tissue, while a significant increase was detected in the DUSP4 and DUSP6 genes. Additionally, when we compared the study genes with the Cancer Genome Atlas program cancer cohorts, it was found that the DUSP1 and DUSP10 gene expression profiles were downregulated in uveal melanoma compared to other cancer cohorts. Conclusions: Significant and obvious changes were observed in the DUSP genes we studied in eyelid tumors. However, the relationship between these genes and cancer must be studied more. Considering that these enzymes are effective in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, it would be appropriate to plan comprehensive studies on their interactions with other proteins they interact with in the MAPK pathway.