ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the function and regulatory mechanisms of VCAN gene and protein in metastatic prostate cancer.Methods The data of whole genomic expression profiles got from the prostate cancer metastasis were obtained from gene expression omnibus (GEO) database,a set of bioinformatics tools,such as BRB-Array Tools,protparam,SMART,SignalP 4.0,TMHMM,NetPhos2.0,PredictProtein,SWISS-MODEL,GO,KEGG and STRING softwares were used to accomplish data-mining and bioinformatics analysis.Results There were 73 co-expressed differentially genes in prostate cancer metastasis,21 up-regulated and 52 down-regulated.Bioinformatics analysis indicated that VCAN gene encoded 3396 amino acids,VCAN was also contained one Immunoglobulin domain,two hyaluronan-binding domain,one epidermal growth factor-like domain,one calcium-binding EGF-like domain,one C-type lectin domain and one domain abundant in complement control proteins,and a furthermore analysis suggested that VCAN played essential roles in such important biological function including cell adhesion,hyaluronic acid binding,calcium-binding,glycosaminoglycan binding,extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules.Conclusions Bioinformatics analysis had a high efficiency in analyzing microarray data and revealing internal biology information.VCAN may play an important role in the prostate cancer metastasis,Thus,VCAN might be a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of prostate cancer metastasis or a new target for its treatment.