Background. Currently, the benefits of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) therapy are limited, and it is necessary to further explore possible therapeutic targets. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2 (ARNT2) has been extensively studied in other cancer species, but little has been explored in NPC. The aim of this study was to verify the expression level of ARNT2 and its underlying mechanism in NPC. Methods. Datasets containing ARNT2 mRNA expression levels were retrieved and collected from various databases to explore the expression status of ARNT2 in NPC. ARNT2-related coexpressed genes, differential expressed genes, and target genes were obtained for functional enrichment analysis. The potential target gene of ARNT2 and their regulatory relationship were studied through ChIP-seq data. CIBERSORTx was used to assess the immune infiltration of NPC, and the association with ARNT2 expression was calculated through correlation analysis. Results. ARNT2 was upregulated and possessed an excellent discriminatory capability in NPC samples. ARNT2 positively correlated target genes were clustered in pathways in cancer, while negatively correlated target genes were enriched in immune-related pathway. The ChIP-seq information of ARNT2 and histone showed that prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) was a potential target gene of ARNT2. CIBERSORTx revealed the immunity status in NPC, and ARNT2 expression was correlated with infiltration of five immune cells. Conclusions. ARNT2 is overexpressed in NPC and may regulate PTGS2 to participate in the cancer process. ARNT2 serves as a key oncogenic target in NPC patients.

中文翻译：

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上调芳烃受体核转运蛋白2在鼻咽癌中的潜在分子机制

背景。目前，鼻咽癌（NPC）治疗的益处有限，有必要进一步探索可能的治疗靶点。芳烃受体核转位子 2 (ARNT2) 已在其他癌症物种中进行了广泛研究，但在 NPC 中的探索很少。本研究的目的是验证 ARNT2 在 NPC 中的表达水平及其潜在机制。方法. 从各种数据库中检索和收集包含 ARNT2 mRNA 表达水平的数据集，以探索 ARNT2 在 NPC 中的表达状态。获得ARNT2相关共表达基因、差异表达基因和靶基因进行功能富集分析。通过ChIP-seq数据研究ARNT2的潜在靶基因及其调控关系。CIBERSORTx用于评估NPC的免疫浸润，并通过相关性分析计算与ARNT2表达的关联。结果. ARNT2 在 NPC 样本中被上调并具有出色的辨别能力。ARNT2正相关靶基因聚集在癌症通路中，而负相关靶基因富集在免疫相关通路中。ARNT2和组蛋白的ChIP-seq信息显示前列腺素内过氧化物合酶2（PTGS2）是ARNT2的潜在靶基因。CIBERSORTx 揭示了 NPC 的免疫状态，ARNT2 的表达与五种免疫细胞的浸润相关。结论。ARNT2 在 NPC 中过度表达，可能调节 PTGS2 参与癌症过程。ARNT2 是 NPC 患者的关键致癌靶点。