Purpose of investigation: To investigate mRNA expression profiles associated with cervical squamous carcinoma progression and to identify key genes involved in invasion and metastasis of cervical squamous cancer.
Materials and methods: The authors extracted the mRNA expression profile of eight normal cervical tissues by human whole genome microarray. The main functions of differentially expressed genes were identified by gene ontology (GO) analysis. Gene-networks were established based on bioinformatic approaches. Microarray data of the expressions level of key genes verified by qRT-PCR.
Results: The authors identified 2036 differentially expressed genes between two groups including 1,282 down-regulated genes and 754 up-regulated genes (p < 0.05, FDR < 0.05). Gene-network revealed that PDGFRA, CAV1, and GJA-1 were critical for cervical cancer invasion and metastasis.
Conclusions: PDGFRA, CAV1, and GJA-1 were revealed as key node genes for cervical cancer invasion and metastasis. The results may provide new evidences and ideas for early diagnosis and prognosis assessment of cervical cancer.