Fig. 6

Common DEGs induced by both PCSK9 and D374Y predict poor prognosis of melanoma. (a) Venn Diagram of DEGs relative to PCSK9, D374Y, and Q152H tumors in comparison to B16 EV tumors. The overlapping genes between PCDK9 and D374Y DEGs are named as Overlap36. (b-f) Real-time PCR confirmation of the indicated component genes of Overlap36. Quantification was based on 3 repeats and was presented as fold changes relevant to EV tumors. *: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, and ***: p < 0.001 for the indicated comparisons. (g, h) Based on the TCGA PanCancer Atlas SKMC dataset, Overlap36 risk scores were calculated. The score’s potential in predicting melanoma fatality risk (g) and stratifying poor OS (h) are shown. Statistical analysis was performed using logrank test. (i, j) ROC (receiver operating characteristic) (i) and time-dependent ROC (j) curves for SigPCSK9NW and Overlap36 in discrimination of poor OS within the TCGA PanCaner Atlas SKMC dataset. (k) Correlation of Overlap36 risk score with SigPCSK9NW risk score in predicting poor OS of melanoma was determined using Spearman correlation in the TCGA PanCancer Atlas SKMC dataset; the correlation coefficient R and p value are included