The Melanoma Antigen Gene (MAGE) family is a large, highly conserved group of proteins which was reported to participate in the progression of multiple cancers in humans. However, the function of distinct MAGE genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is largely unclear. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the expression, clinical significance, genetic alteration, interaction network and functional enrichment of MAGEs in HCC. Our research showed that many MAGE genes were dysregulated in HCC. Among them, MAGEA1, MAGEC2, MAGED1, MAGED2, MAGEF1 and MAGEL2 were significantly associated with clinical stage and differentiation of HCC. MAGED1, MAGED2, MAGEA6, MAGEA12, MAGEA10, MAGEB4, MAGEL2 and MAGEC3 significantly correlated with HCC prognosis. Further functional enrichment analysis suggested the dysregulated MAGEs may play important roles in signal transduction. These results indicate that multiple dysregulated MAGEs might play important roles in the development of HCC and can be exploited as useful biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment in HCC.

黑色素瘤抗原基因 (MAGE) 家族是一大群高度保守的蛋白质，据报道其参与人类多种癌症的进展。然而，不同 MAGE 基因在肝细胞癌 (HCC) 中的功能在很大程度上尚不清楚。在本研究中，我们综合评估了 MAGEs 在 HCC 中的表达、临床意义、遗传改变、相互作用网络和功能富集。我们的研究表明，许多 MAGE 基因在 HCC 中失调。其中，MAGEA1、MAGEC2、MAGED1、MAGED2、MAGEF1和MAGEL2与HCC的临床分期和分化显着相关。MAGED1、MAGED2、MAGEA6、MAGEA12、MAGEA10、MAGEB4、MAGEL2 和 MAGEC3 与 HCC 预后显着相关。进一步的功能富集分析表明，失调的 MAGE 可能在信号转导中发挥重要作用。这些结果表明，多种失调的 MAGE 可能在 HCC 的发展中发挥重要作用，并且可以用作 HCC 诊断和治疗的有用生物标志物。