MRPS28 serves as a biomarker of diagnostic, prognostic, and immune modulation in pan-cancer and promotes breast cancer malignant phenotypes.

[BACKGROUND] MRPS28 (Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein S28) belongs to the MRP family and plays a critical role in mitochondrial translation and cellular energy metabolism. However, the effect of MRPS28 in pan-cancer remains unknown. This study aimed to perform a comprehensive assessment of the oncogenic potential of MRPS28 in pan-cancer using several databases, with a particular focus on breast cancer.

[METHODS] The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases were employed to evaluate MRPS28 expression across pan-cancer. Furthermore, we analyzed the association between the expression of MRPS28 and diagnosis, prognosis, genetic alterations, genomic heterogeneity, DNA methylation, and immunity. In addition, the biological function of MRPS28 in breast cancer was investigated. The role of MRPS28 in the malignant biological behavior of breast cancer cells was studied through experiments, including cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

[RESULTS] Our analyses indicated that MRPS28 expression dysregulation was noted in various cancer types, and MRPS28 had remarkable diagnostic and prognostic predictive values. MRPS28 expression was substantially related to genetic alterations, genomic heterogeneity, and DNA methylation levels. In addition, MRPS28 was associated with immune infiltration and immune-related gene expression in multiple cancer types. Moreover, our experimental validation confirmed that MRPS28 knockdown considerably suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as promoted apoptosis in the breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7.

[CONCLUSION] Collectively, these findings imply that MRPS28 emerges as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker across pan-cancer, with a potential oncogenic role in breast cancer progression. Furthermore, it may be a potential therapeutic target for various cancers.