Distinct Roles of MEIS1-3 in Breast Cancer Subtypes and Tumor Microenvironment: A Multi-Omics Bioinformatics Analysis
Author :
Abstract
Keywords
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by molecular subtype diversity, therapy resistance, metastatic progression, and complex tumor microenvironment interactions. Transcription factors regulate gene expression programs involved in proliferation, differentiation, survival, immune responses, and treatment-related mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the possible roles of MEIS1, MEIS2, and MEIS3, members of the TALE homeobox transcription factor family, in breast cancer using publicly available bioinformatics databases and literature-based assessment. Expression, promoter methylation, somatic mutation, protein interaction, immune infiltration, single-cell distribution, drug sensitivity, survival, chromatin interaction, and toxicogenomic outputs were evaluated using UALCAN, cBioPortal, STRING, TIMER2.0, TISCH2, GSCA, CTD, Kaplan–Meier Plotter, 3D Genome Browser, and GEPIA2. The findings indicated that MEIS family members show distinct and context-dependent profiles in breast cancer. MEIS1 was mainly associated with reduced expression, promoter methylation, proliferation-related markers, therapy-response features, and immune microenvironment characteristics. MEIS2 was associated with regulatory network organization, BRCA1-related chromatin regulation, IL10-related immune signaling, and treatment-related transcriptional modulation. MEIS3 showed a tumor microenvironment-related profile, including stromal marker correlations, cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration, and reduced CD8A-related immune marker expression. Overall, MEIS1, MEIS2, and MEIS3 may contribute to breast cancer biology through different molecular and microenvironmental mechanisms. Further experimental and clinical validation studies are required.
