Systematic expression and bioinformatics analysis of fibrinogen-like protein 1 in human cancer and its co-expression network

Abstract Background Fibrinogen-like protein 1 was initially found in a study on hepatocellular carcinoma and it is overexpressed in human cell lines and rats. Recently, investigations have focused on fibrinogen-like protein 1 dysfunction in carcinogenesis. Our study aims to determine the role of fibrinogen-like protein 1 and its possible role in human carcinoma. Methods Fibrinogen-like protein 1 expression in different neoplasms was assessed by Oncomine. Fibrinogen-like protein 1 coexpression networks in various cancers were established using Coexpedia. Finally, we investigated the potential functions of fibrinogen-like protein 1 with gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses with the FunRich V3. Results Fibrinogen-like protein 1 was overexpressed in several kinds of neoplasms at the transcriptional level. Coexpression networks showed that fibrinogen-like protein 1 regulates immune response and lipid related pathways. Conclusions The present results offer the possibility that fibrinogen-like protein 1 acts as a therapeutic target for some types of cancers and may take part in carcinogenesis.