Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase (NNMT) is Involved in Gastric Adenocarcinoma Immune Infiltration by Driving Amino Acid Metabolism.

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates the role of Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) in immune infiltration modulation through amino acid metabolism in gastric adenocarcinoma (STAD). Methods: Utilizing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and validated with clinical samples, we analyzed NNMT expression and its prognostic implications in STAD. Differential amino acid profiles between cancerous and adjacent normal tissues were assessed, along with their associations with NNMT. Results: NNMT exhibits heightened expression in STAD cancer tissues, positively correlating with tumor immune infiltration. Additionally, twenty-eight amino acids display differential expression in gastric tissue, with their metabolic enzymes showing connections to NNMT. Conclusions: Elevated NNMT expression in STAD tissues potentially influences amino acid metabolism, thereby affecting immune infiltration dynamics and tumorigenesis in gastric adenocarcinoma.