Development of a vitamin-related gene signature to predict the immune characteristics and prognosis of glioma.

To establish and validate a vitamin-related gene signature for predicting glioma prognosis and immune characteristics, and to explore the functional relevance of EEF2. Survival-related vitamin-associated genes were identified from public glioma cohorts to build a prognostic signature. Its clinical relevance, immune associations, and predictive performance were validated. EEF2 function was tested in glioma cells, and its relationship with YPEL1 was explored. A six-gene signature (POSTN, IRX5, EEF2, RAB27A, MDM2, ENO1) independently predicted overall survival and distinguished glioma grade and molecular subtype across cohorts. High-risk gliomas showed elevated immune and stromal scores, reduced tumor purity, enriched immune-cell infiltration, C4 immune-subtype dominance, and pronounced immunosuppressive features comprising upregulated Cancer-Immunity Cycle inhibitors and immune checkpoints. A nomogram integrating the signature with clinicopathological factors accurately predicted 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival. Functionally, EEF2 knockdown promoted glioma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and positively regulated YPEL1, supporting its protective role. This vitamin-related signature links vitamin biology with glioma immunity and prognosis, and EEF2 represents a promising direction for future mechanistic and therapeutic research.