PARGP, a Specific Enhancer RNA Associated with Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer

<b>Background: </b>Enhancer RNA (eRNA) is a non-coding RNA transcribed by enhancers and has a crucial role in controlling gene transcription. However, the potential functions of eRNA in prostate cancer (PCa) are still not fully understood. <b>Methods:</b> Clinical information and expression data of eRNAs and their target genes for PCa were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Each eRNA in PCa samples was divided into high- and low-expression groups. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to identify the eRNAs significantly associated with the overall survival of PCa. Their correlations with age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and tumor stage were analyzed using Spearman coefficients. Finally, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEEG) analyses were used to predict the possible biological functions and pathways associated with eRNAs. <b>Results:</b> We identified 12 eRNAs associated with PCa survival, of which PARGP1 was the most clinically significant. It was associated with biochemical recurrence in PCa patients and was also a valuable complement to distinguish between PSA 0–4 ng/ml and 4–10 ng/ml. GO, and KEEG analysis showed that herpes simplex virus-1 infection was the most biologically significant enriched process.<b></b> <b>Conclusions: </b>PARGP1 is associated with biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer and contributes to assessing the outcome.<b></b><br>