Identification of common mutations and their frequency in METTL5, METTL7A, and METTL7B genes in gastrointestinal cancers based on in silico data

Abstract

Background and Aim: Identifying key genes involved in the development of gastrointestinal cancers is crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases and for developing effective therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. Members of the METTL gene family are known to participate in various biological functions and play significant roles in tumorigenesis. This study aims to identify common mutations and their frequencies in three selected genes from this family: METTL5, METTL7A, and METTL7B, in the context of gastrointestinal cancers. Methods: We utilized DNA sequencing data available for each sample in the TCGA database to identify common mutations and their frequencies in the candidate genes. The MAF data for relevant cancers were downloaded, and the Maftools package was employed to evaluate the frequency and types of mutations across all samples. Results: Mutations in the METTL5, METTL7A, and METTL7B genes were observed in colorectal and stomach cancers, with additional reports of mutations in esophageal, liver, and pancreatic cancers. The frequency of SNP mutations and missense mutations in these genes was found to be higher than reported in previous studies. Conclusion: SNP mutations and missense mutations were the most prevalent alterations identified in the METTL5, METTL7A, and METTL7B genes compared to other reports. While in silico screening provides a valuable initial step in identifying mutated genes with potential causal roles in cancer, further experimental validation is necessary.

Keywords

• gastrointestinal cancers
• mettl genes
• gene mutations