# EPB41L family serves as a prognostic biomarker for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma

## TL;DR

The EPB41L gene family is linked to worse outcomes in kidney cancer and could help predict patient survival.

## Contribution

This study identifies EPB41L as a novel prognostic biomarker for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma.

## Key findings

- EPB41L expression is reduced in kidney cancer tissue and linked to lower survival rates.
- Low EPB41L levels correlate with overall survival and immune cell infiltration in KIRC.
- Increased EPB41L methylation is associated with poor prognosis in KIRC patients.

## Abstract

EPB41L1-5 is known to maintain cell morphology and signal transduction, with evidence suggesting it can inhibit tumor progression. However, its role in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is not fully understood. This study evaluated EPB41L1-5’s prognostic value in KIRC using bioinformatics methods and validation through qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and cell functional experiments. The results demonstrated a decreased expression of EPB41L in KIRC tissue compared to normal renal tissue, correlating with lower survival rates. Low EPB41L expression was also associated with overall survival in KIRC. Additionally, EPB41L was found to be involved in extracellular matrix regulation, G protein-coupled receptor ligand binding, and multiple immune cell infiltrations. In addition, their elevated methylation levels are associated with poor prognosis in KIRC patients. Overall, EPB41L family is a potential molecular marker for predicting KIRC prognosis, offering insights for therapeutic development.