Pan-cancer analysis of GINS1 identifies its prognostic and immunotherapy predictive value with in vitro experimental validation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

GINS complex subunit 1 (GINS1) is part of the tetrameric GINS complex involved in DNA replication, playing a vital role in controlling the start and continuation of DNA replication. Its role in cancer, however, is not well understood. Still, its relevance to cancer is uncertain. This study focused on exploring the role of GINS1 in different forms of cancer. Using a range of publicly available databases, we conducted a comprehensive study on the oncogenic function of GINS1 in pan-cancer through analyses of differential expression, survival, enrichment, gene mutations and tumor immune cell infiltration. Additionally, the expression and effects of GINS1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were analyzed through a series of in vitro experiments. GINS1 was found to be overexpressed in nearly all tumors, demonstrating notable diagnostic and prognostic potential. Moreover, the relationship between GINS1 and specific immune characteristics (such as immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint genes, tumor mutational burden, and microsatellite instability) suggests its potential role in guiding immunotherapy approaches. In vitro studies show that GINS1 notably enhances proliferation, migration, and invasion of NPC cells, with elevated expression levels correlating with a poorer prognosis. GINS1 might serve as a prognostic and immunotherapy marker for different types of cancers, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma.