OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and clinical significance of GINS complex in colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODSThe expression level of GINS complex including PSF1, PSF2, PSF3 and SLD5 in CRC specimens (n=76) were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The association of GINS complex with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of CRC patients were analyzed.

RESULTSThe relative expression level of PSF1, PSF2, PSF3, and SLD5 mRNA in CRC tissues was 0.001 853±0.000 651, 0.007 757±0.004 260, 0.000 967±0.000 481 and 0.003 248±0.001 721, which was significantly higher than that in normal colorectal mucosa tissues (0.000 352±0.000 169, 0.002 951±0.001 216, 0.000 472±0.000 271, and 0.001 675±0.001 156) (all P<0.01). PSF1 mRNA expression was associated with tumor size (P<0.01), and PSF2 mRNA expression with age (P<0.05) and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). No correlations between PSF3 mRNA expression and clinicopathological parameters were observed. SLD5 mRNA expression was associated with lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). Patients with high expression of PSF1, PSF2 and SLD5 had worse 5-year overall survival rate (57.1%, 54.3%, and 54.3%) than those with low expression (77.1%, 80.0%, and 80.0%) (all P<0.05). Multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that PSF1 mRNA expression (P<0.05) was an independent factor associated with prognosis of colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSIONSOverexpression of GINS complex in CRC is associated with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of colorectal cancer. PSF1 expression is prognostic for CRC patients.