ER stress-related mitochondrial protein-coding gene risk model and in vitro experiments unveil OMA1 as a novel prognostic and therapeutic biomarker for low-grade glioma.

BACKGROUND: Low-grade gliomas (LGG) are known for their slow growth yet retain the potential to progress to more aggressive malignancies. Glioma cells are frequently exposed to stressors such as hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, and oxidative stress, which disrupt protein folding within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), leading to ER stress and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). ER stress plays a complex role in glioma initiation, progression, and resistance to chemotherapy. Dysregulated signaling between mitochondria and the ER can further exacerbate ER stress, impacting glioma cell survival and proliferation. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which mitochondrial interactions influence ER stress may reveal novel therapeutic targets for LGG treatment.

METHODS: ER-stress related mitochondrial protein-coding genes (ERSMGs) linked to LGG prognosis were identified using Mitocarta3.0, Genecards, CGGA, and TCGA data. A prognostic model was developed via univariate and LASSO-Cox regression and validated by ROC curves. OMA1's role was assessed through knockdown experiments in LGG cell lines.

RESULTS: Eleven ERSMGs were significantly associated with LGG prognosis. The model achieved reliable predictive accuracy (AUC > 0.6) and stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups with distinct survival rates. High-risk patients exhibited increased sensitivity to SB505124. OMA1 knockdown in LGG cells induced ER stress by promoting mitochondrial fusion, increasing mtROS, ultimately inhibiting cell proliferation and invasion.

CONCLUSION: This study provides a novel prognostic model based on ERSMGs, offering novel insights into LGG progression and invasion. OMA1-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress play critical roles in glioma cell growth and survival, representing potential therapeutic targets.