Exploring the Expression and Prognostic Value of the TCP1 Ring Complex in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Overexpressing Its Subunit 5 Promotes HCC Tumorigenesis

T-complex protein-1 ring complex (TRiC), also known2 as CCT: Chaperonin Containing T-complex protein-1, belongs to chaperonins required for folding nascent proteins. Increasing evidence has indicated TRiC complex played an important role in the development and progression of various tumors but limited studies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We comprehensively evaluated the expression pattern and biological function of TRiC complex subunits based on public data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Human Protein Atlas. We found the expressions of TCP1, CCT2/3/4/5/6A/7/8 were significantly upregulated in HCC tissues at both transcript and protein level, which predict shorter overall survival (OS). Moreover, high mutation rate was found in several CCT subunits, and patients with altered CCT genes had poorer clinical outcomes. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the biological processes of co-altered genes significantly concentrated on protein folding and microtubule-based process while co-expressed genes with CCT subunits were mainly involved in ribosome and spliceosome. Then, CCT5, a subunit of TRiC, knockdown and overexpression were performed in HCC cell lines. Functional assays demonstrated that CCT5 was closely related to HCC cell proliferation, cycle transition, migration and invasion. In conclusion, our study suggested that the subunit of TRiC complex may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of HCC and play an important role in the occurrence and development of HCC.