A total of 8 hub genes were identified, of which PDZ binding kinase, Krüppel‑like factor 4, collagen type XII α‑1 chain, RAP1A and RAP39B were indicated to be associated with the progression and recurrence of PCa.
The observed reduction in soft tissue tumor burden corresponded to a biochemical reduction in Rap1A geranylgeranylation, which for prostate cancer is important in its own merit and which serves as a surrogate marker for Rho family, i.e.Rac, protein modification.
In addition, we identified Rap1A as a direct target suppressed by miR-203, and there was an inverse relationship between the expression of miR-203 and Rap1A in PCa.
The Mig-10/RIAM/lamellipodin (MRL) family member Rap1-GTP-interacting adaptor molecule (RIAM) interacts with active Rap1, a small GTPase that is frequently activated in tumors such as melanoma and prostate cancer.