Identification of differentially expressed genes in Cushing's disease by integrated bioinformatics analysis

Abstract Background Cushing's disease is a rare and little-known disease, and the individualization of drug treatment varies greatly. Studies have shown that the gene expression profile of Cushing's disease is related to its clinical characteristics. Therefore, the study aims to identify key differential genes between the age and size of tumors through bioinformatics technology, thus providing a theoretical basis for personalized targeted therapy of Cushing's disease. Methods Downloading the gene expression microarray (GSE93825) data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and obtaining differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of different tumor sizes and ages through GEO2R. The DAVID database, Cytoscape and String platforms were utilized for functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis on selected differential genes. Results First, 96 DEGs were identified between macroadenoma (MAC) and microadenoma (MIC), which initially proved the different gene expression characteristics between them. Second, a total of 2128 DEGs were identified in MAC age group. The top five hub genes of the PPI network were GNGT2, LPAR3, PDYN, GRM3, and HTR1D. A total of 16 DEGs were identified in MIC age group. In addition, 88 DEGs were identified in younger MAC and MIC groups. The top five hub genes included LEP, PTGS2, STAT6, CXCL12, and ITPKB. 299 DEGs were identified in senior MAC and MIC groups. The first five hub genes were CCR7, LPAR2, CXCR5, ADCY3, and TAS2R14. By virtue of DAVID and Cytoscape software, the function enrichment analysis and core module analysis were performed successfully. Conclusions In summary, our research shows through bioinformatics analysis that different gene expression profiles of Cushing's disease are related to the size and age of the tumor, which may provide new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of Cushing's disease. These hub genes may be used for accurate diagnosis and treatment of Cushing's disease.

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Study on potential differentially expressed genes in stroke by bioinformatics analysis

Neurological Sciences ◽

10.1007/s10072-021-05470-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xitong Yang ◽

Pengyu Wang ◽

Shanquan Yan ◽

Guangming Wang

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Differentially Expressed Genes ◽

Normal Control ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Normal Control Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Ppi Network ◽

Hub Genes ◽

Pathway Enrichment ◽

Key Genes

AbstractStroke is a sudden cerebrovascular circulatory disorder with high morbidity, disability, mortality, and recurrence rate, but its pathogenesis and key genes are still unclear. In this study, bioinformatics was used to deeply analyze the pathogenesis of stroke and related key genes, so as to study the potential pathogenesis of stroke and provide guidance for clinical treatment. Gene Expression profiles of GSE58294 and GSE16561 were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between IS and normal control group. The different expression genes (DEGs) between IS and normal control group were screened with the GEO2R online tool. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the DEGs were performed. Using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), the function and pathway enrichment analysis of DEGS were performed. Then, a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed via the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database. Cytoscape with CytoHubba were used to identify the hub genes. Finally, NetworkAnalyst was used to construct the targeted microRNAs (miRNAs) of the hub genes. A total of 85 DEGs were screened out in this study, including 65 upward genes and 20 downward genes. In addition, 3 KEGG pathways, cytokine − cytokine receptor interaction, hematopoietic cell lineage, B cell receptor signaling pathway, were significantly enriched using a database for labeling, visualization, and synthetic discovery. In combination with the results of the PPI network and CytoHubba, 10 hub genes including CEACAM8, CD19, MMP9, ARG1, CKAP4, CCR7, MGAM, CD79A, CD79B, and CLEC4D were selected. Combined with DEG-miRNAs visualization, 5 miRNAs, including hsa-mir-146a-5p, hsa-mir-7-5p, hsa-mir-335-5p, and hsa-mir-27a- 3p, were predicted as possibly the key miRNAs. Our findings will contribute to identification of potential biomarkers and novel strategies for the treatment of ischemic stroke, and provide a new strategy for clinical therapy.

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Bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed genes and pathways in the development of cervical cancer

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-021-08412-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Baojie Wu ◽

Shuyi Xi

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Differentially Expressed Genes ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Gene Expression Profiles ◽

Molecular Targets ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Ppi Network ◽

Hub Genes ◽

Kegg Pathways

Abstract Background This study aimed to explore and identify key genes and signaling pathways that contribute to the progression of cervical cancer to improve prognosis. Methods Three gene expression profiles (GSE63514, GSE64217 and GSE138080) were screened and downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened using the GEO2R and Venn diagram tools. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to analyze the three gene expression profiles. Moreover, a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of the DEGs was constructed, and functional enrichment analysis was performed. On this basis, hub genes from critical PPI subnetworks were explored with Cytoscape software. The expression of these genes in tumors was verified, and survival analysis of potential prognostic genes from critical subnetworks was conducted. Functional annotation, multiple gene comparison and dimensionality reduction in candidate genes indicated the clinical significance of potential targets. Results A total of 476 DEGs were screened: 253 upregulated genes and 223 downregulated genes. DEGs were enriched in 22 biological processes, 16 cellular components and 9 molecular functions in precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. DEGs were mainly enriched in 10 KEGG pathways. Through intersection analysis and data mining, 3 key KEGG pathways and related core genes were revealed by GSEA. Moreover, a PPI network of 476 DEGs was constructed, hub genes from 12 critical subnetworks were explored, and a total of 14 potential molecular targets were obtained. Conclusions These findings promote the understanding of the molecular mechanism of and clinically related molecular targets for cervical cancer.

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Bioinformatics Analysis and Identification of Potential Biomarkers in Gastric Cancer

10.21203/rs.3.rs-111288/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jingdi Yang ◽

Bo Peng ◽

Xianzheng Qin ◽

Tian Zhou

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Gastric Cancer ◽

Differentially Expressed Genes ◽

Bioinformatics Analysis ◽

Interaction Network ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

Hub Genes ◽

Protein Protein Interaction ◽

Protein Protein Interaction Network

Abstract Background: Although the morbidity and mortality of gastric cancer are declining, gastric cancer is still one of the most common causes of death. Early detection of gastric cancer is of great help to improve the survival rate, but the existing biomarkers are not sensitive to diagnose early gastric cancer. The aim of this study is to identify the novel biomarkers for gastric cancer.Methods: Three gene expression profiles (GSE27342, GSE63089, GSE33335) were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database to select differentially expressed genes. Then, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis were performed to explore the biological functions of differentially expressed genes. Cytoscape was utilized to construct protein-protein interaction network and hub genes were analyzed by plugin cytoHubba of Cytoscape. Furthermore, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis and Kaplan-Meier plotter were used to verify the identified hub genes.Results: 35 overlapping differentially expressed genes were screened from gene expression datasets, which consisted of 11 up-regulated genes and 24 down-regulated genes. Gene Ontology functional enrichment analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in digestion, regulation of biological quality, response to hormone and steroid hormone, and homeostatic process. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis showed differentially expressed genes were enriched in the secretion of gastric acid and collecting duct acid, leukocyte transendothelial migration and ECM-receptor interaction. According to protein-protein interaction network, 10 hub genes were identified by Maximal Clique Centrality method.Conclusion: By using bioinformatics analysis, COL1A1, BGN, THY1, TFF2 and SST were identified as the potential biomarkers for early detection of gastric cancer.

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Differential Expression and Bioinformatics Analysis of circRNA in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Frontiers in Genetics ◽

10.3389/fgene.2020.586814 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Qiuwen Sun ◽

Xia Li ◽

Muchen Xu ◽

Li Zhang ◽

Haiwei Zuo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Lung Cancer ◽

Small Cell Lung Cancer ◽

Target Genes ◽

Bioinformatics Analysis ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Small Cell ◽

Ppi Network ◽

Small Cell Lung ◽

Hub Genes

Circular RNA (CircRNA) plays an important role in tumorigenesis and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the pathogenesis of NSCLC caused by circRNA has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate differentially expressed circRNAs and identify the underlying pathogenesis hub genes of NSCLC by comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. Data of gene expression microarrays (GSE101586, GSE101684, and GSE112214) were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) were obtained by the “limma” package of R programs and the overlapping operation was implemented of DECs. CircBase database and Cancer-Specific CircRNA database (CSCD) were used to find miRNAs binding to DECs. Target genes of the found miRNAs were identified utilizing Perl programs based on miRDB, miRTarBase, and TargetScan databases. Functional and enrichment analyses of selected target genes were performing using the “cluster profiler” package. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by the Search Tool for the STRING database and module analysis of selected hub genes was performed by Cytoscape 3.7.1. Survival analysis of hub genes were performed by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). Respectively, 1 DEC, 249 DECs, and 101 DECs were identified in GSE101586, GSE101684, and GSE112214. A total of eight overlapped circRNAs, 43 miRNAs and 427 target genes were identified. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed these target genes were enriched in biological processes of regulation of histone methylation, Ras protein signal transduction and covalent chromatin modification etc. Pathway enrichment analysis showed these target genes are mainly involved in AMPK signaling pathway, signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells and insulin signaling pathway etc. A PPI network was constructed based on 427 target genes of the 43 miRNAs. Ten hub genes were found, of which the expression of MYLIP, GAN, and CDC27 were significantly related to NSCLC patient prognosis. Our study provide a deeper understanding the circRNAs-miRNAs-target genes by bioinformatics analysis, which may provide novel insights for unraveling pathogenesis of NSCLC. MYLIP, GAN, and CDC27 genes might serve as novel biomarker for precise treatment and prognosis of NSCLC in the future.

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Identification of Hub Genes Associated with Lung Adenocarcinoma Based on Bioinformatics Analysis

Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/5550407 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Shuaiqun Wang ◽

Xiaoling Xu ◽

Wei Kong

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽

Differentially Expressed Genes ◽

Gene Expression Omnibus ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

Ppi Network ◽

Hub Genes ◽

Protein Protein Interaction ◽

Limma Package ◽

Differential Genes

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the malignant lung tumors. However, its pathology has not been fully understood. The purpose of this study is to identify the hub genes associated with LUAD by bioinformatics methods. Three gene expression datasets including GSE116959, GSE74706, and GSE85841 downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were used in this study. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to LUAD were screened by using the limma package. Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG analysis of DEGs were carried out through the DAVID website. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) of differentially expressed genes was drawn by the STRING website, and the results were imported into Cytoscape for visualization. Then, the PPI network was analyzed by using MCODE, and the modules with a score greater than 5 were found by using cytoHubba. Finally, the GEPIA database and UALCAN database were used to verify and analyze the survival of hub genes. We identified 67 upregulated genes and 277 downregulated genes from three LUAD datasets. The results of GO analysis showed that the downregulated genes were significantly enriched in matrix adhesion and angiogenesis and upregulated differential genes were significantly enriched in cell adhesion and vascular development. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differential genes of LUAD were significantly enriched in viral carcinogenesis and adhesion spots. The PPI network of differentially expressed genes consists of 269 nodes and 625 interactions. In addition, three modules with scores greater than 5 and seven hub genes, namely, MCM4, BIRC5, CDC20, CDC25C, FOXM1, GTSE1, and RFC4, playing an important role in the PPI network were screened out. In this study, we obtained the hub genes and pathways related to LUAD, revealing the molecular mechanism and pathogenesis of LUAD, which is helpful for the early detection of LUAD and provides a new idea for the treatment of LUAD.

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Bioinformatics-Based Study to Investigate Potential Differentially Expressed Genes and miRNAs in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1023446/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Li Guoquan ◽

Du Junwei ◽

He Qi ◽

Fu Xinghao ◽

Ji Feihong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Differentially Expressed Genes ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

Pathway Enrichment Analysis ◽

Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis ◽

Hub Genes

Abstract BackgroundHashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is a common autoimmune disease, which mainly occurs in women. The early manifestation was hyperthyroidism, however, hypothyroidism may occur if HT was not controlled for a long time. Numerous studies have shown that multiple factors, including genetic, environmental, and autoimmune factors, were involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, but the exact mechanisms were not yet clear. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by comprehensive analysis and to provide specific insights into HT. MethodsTwo gene expression profiles (GSE6339, GSE138198) about HT were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The DEGs were assessed between the HT and normal groups using the GEO2R. The DEGs were then sent to the Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The hub genes were discovered using Cytoscape and CytoHubba. Finally, NetworkAnalyst was utilized to create the hub genes' targeted microRNAs (miRNAs). ResultsA total of 62 DEGs were discovered, including 60 up-regulated and 2 down-regulated DEGs. The signaling pathways were mainly engaged in cytokine interaction and cytotoxicity, and the DEGs were mostly enriched in immunological and inflammatory responses. IL2RA, CXCL9, IL10RA, CCL3, CCL4, CCL2, STAT1, CD4, CSF1R, and ITGAX were chosen as hub genes based on the results of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and CytoHubba. Five miRNAs, including mir-24-3p, mir-223-3p, mir-155-5p, mir-34a-5p, mir-26b-5p, and mir-6499-3p, were suggested as likely important miRNAs in HT. ConclusionsThese hub genes, pathways and miRNAs contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of HT and offer potential treatment options for HT.

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Diagnostic biomarker candidates for pulpitis revealed by bioinformatics analysis of merged microarray gene expression datasets

BMC Oral Health ◽

10.1186/s12903-020-01266-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ming Chen ◽

Junkai Zeng ◽

Yeqing Yang ◽

Buling Wu

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Dental Pulp ◽

Bioinformatics Analysis ◽

Kegg Pathway ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Biological Pathways ◽

Signalling Pathway ◽

Diagnostic Biomarker ◽

Hub Genes ◽

Geo Database

Abstract Background Pulpitis is an inflammatory disease, the grade of which is classified according to the level of inflammation. Traditional methods of evaluating the status of dental pulp tissue in clinical practice have limitations. The rapid and accurate diagnosis of pulpitis is essential for determining the appropriate treatment. By integrating different datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we analysed a merged expression matrix of pulpitis, aiming to identify biological pathways and diagnostic biomarkers of pulpitis. Methods By integrating two datasets (GSE77459 and GSE92681) in the GEO database using the sva and limma packages of R, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of pulpitis were identified. Then, the DEGs were analysed to identify biological pathways of dental pulp inflammation with Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks and modules were constructed to identify hub genes with the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) and Cytoscape. Results A total of 470 DEGs comprising 394 upregulated and 76 downregulated genes were found in pulpitis tissue. GO analysis revealed that the DEGs were enriched in biological processes related to inflammation, and the enriched pathways in the KEGG pathway analysis were cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, chemokine signalling pathway and NF-κB signalling pathway. The GSEA results provided further functional annotations, including complement system, IL6/JAK/STAT3 signalling pathway and inflammatory response pathways. According to the degrees of nodes in the PPI network, 10 hub genes were identified, and 8 diagnostic biomarker candidates were screened: PTPRC, CD86, CCL2, IL6, TLR8, MMP9, CXCL8 and ICAM1. Conclusions With bioinformatics analysis of merged datasets, biomarker candidates of pulpitis were screened and the findings may be as reference to develop a new method of pulpitis diagnosis.

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Bioinformatic Identification of Hub Genes and Biological Pathways for Sepsis-Associated Acute Lung Injury

10.21203/rs.3.rs-623296/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chao Zhang ◽

Feng Xu ◽

Fang Fang

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Acute Lung Injury ◽

Lung Injury ◽

Function Analysis ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Gene Expression Omnibus ◽

Biological Pathways ◽

Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽

Ppi Network ◽

Hub Genes

Abstract Background: Sepsis-associated acute lung injury (ALI) is a potentially lethal complication associated with a poor prognosis and high mortality worldwide, especially in the outbreak of COVID-19. However, the fundamental mechanisms of this complication were still not fully elucidated. Thus, we conducted this study to identify hub genes and biological pathways of sepsis-associated ALI, mainly focus on two pathways of LPS and HMGB1. Methods: Gene expression profile GSE3037 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, including 8 patients with sepsis-induced acute lung injury, with 8 unstimulated blood neutrophils, 8 LPS- induced neutrophils and 8 HMGB1-induced neutrophils. Diﬀerentially expressed genes (DEGs) identifications, Gene Ontology (GO) function analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network constructions were performed to obtain hub genes and relevant biological pathways.Results: We identified 534 and 317 DEGs for LPS- and HMGB1-induced ALI, respectively. The biological pathways involved in LPS- and HMGB1-induced ALI were also identified accordingly. By PPI network analysis, we found that ten hub genes for LPS-induced ALI (CXCL8, TNF, IL6, IL1B, ICAM1, CXCL1, CXCL2, IL1A, IL1RN and CXCL3) and another ten hub genes for HMGB1-induced ALI (CCL20, CXCL2, CXCL1, CCL4, CXCL3, CXCL9, CCL21, CXCR6, KNG1 and SST). Furthermore, by combining analysis, the results revealed that genes of TNF, CCL20, IL1B, NFKBIA, CCL4, PTGS2, TNFAIP3, CXCL2, CXCL1 and CXCL3 were potential biomarkers for sepsis-associated ALI. Conclusions: Our study revealed that ten hub genes associated with sepsis-induced ALI were TNF, CCL20, IL1B, NFKBIA, CCL4, PTGS2, TNFAIP3, CXCL2, CXCL1 and CXCL3, which may serve as genetic biomarkers and be further verified in prospective experimental trials.

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Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes and Signaling Pathways in Acute Myocardial Infarction Based on Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis

Cardiovascular Therapeutics ◽

10.1155/2019/8490707 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Da-Qiu Chen ◽

Xiang-Sheng Kong ◽

Xue-Bin Shen ◽

Mao-Zhi Huang ◽

Jian-Ping Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Differentially Expressed Genes ◽

Bioinformatics Analysis ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Hub Genes ◽

Module Analysis

Background. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common disease with high morbidity and mortality around the world. The aim of this research was to determine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which may serve as potential therapeutic targets or new biomarkers in AMI. Methods. From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, three gene expression profiles (GSE775, GSE19322, and GSE97494) were downloaded. To identify the DEGs, integrated bioinformatics analysis and robust rank aggregation (RRA) method were applied. These DEGs were performed through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses by using Clusterprofiler package. In order to explore the correlation between these DEGs, the interaction network of protein-protein internet (PPI) was constructed using the STRING database. Utilizing the MCODE plug-in of Cytoscape, the module analysis was performed. Utilizing the cytoHubba plug-in, the hub genes were screened out. Results. 57 DEGs in total were identified, including 2 down- and 55 upregulated genes. These DEGs were mainly enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, chemokine signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and so on. The module analysis filtered out 18 key genes, including Cxcl5, Arg1, Cxcl1, Spp1, Selp, Ptx3, Tnfaip6, Mmp8, Serpine1, Ptgs2, Il6, Il1r2, Il1b, Ccl3, Ccr1, Hmox1, Cxcl2, and Ccl2. Ccr1 was the most fundamental gene in PPI network. 4 hub genes in total were identified, including Cxcl1, Cxcl2, Cxcl5, and Mmp8. Conclusion. This study may provide credible molecular biomarkers in terms of screening, diagnosis, and prognosis for AMI. Meanwhile, it also serves as a basis for exploring new therapeutic target for AMI.

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Identification of aberrantly methylated differentially expressed genes in melanoma

10.21203/rs.2.24149/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wei Han ◽

Guo-liang Shen

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Differentially Expressed Genes ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

Regulation Of Transcription ◽

Biological Processes ◽

Hub Genes ◽

Positive Regulation ◽

Upregulated Genes

Abstract Background: Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM) is known as an aggressive malignant cancer, which could be directly derived from melanocytic nevi. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying malignant transformation of melanocytes and melanoma tumor progression still remain unclear. Increasing researches showed significant roles of epigenetic modifications, especially DNA methylation, in melanoma. This study focused on identification and analysis of methylation-regulated differentially expressed genes (MeDEGs) between melanocytic nevus and malignant melanoma in genome-wide profiles. Methods: The gene expression profiling datasets (GSE3189 and GSE114445) and gene methylation profiling datasets (GSE86355 and GSE120878) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were identified via GEO2R. MeDEGs were obtained by integrating the DEGs and DMGs. Then, functional enrichment analysis of MeDEGs were performed. STRING and Cytoscape were used to describe protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. Furthermore, survival analysis was implemented to select the prognostic hub genes. Finally, we conducted gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of hub genes. Results: We identified 237 hypomethylated, upregulated genes and 182 hypermethylated, downregulated genes. Hypomethylation-upregulated genes were enriched in biological processes of the oxidation-reduction process, cell proliferation, cell division, phosphorylation, extracellular matrix disassembly and protein sumoylation. Pathway enrichment showed selenocompound metabolism, small cell lung cancer and lysosome. Hypermethylation-downregulated genes were enriched in biological processes of positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter, cell adhesion, cell proliferation, positive regulation of transcription, DNA-templated and angiogenesis. The most significantly enriched pathways involved the transcriptional misregulation in cancer, circadian rhythm, tight junction, protein digestion and absorption and Hippo signaling pathway. After PPI establishment and survival analysis, seven prognostic hub genes were CKS2, DTL, KIF2C, KPNA2, MYBL2, TPX2 and FBL. Moreover, the most involved hallmarks obtained by GSEA were E2F targets, G2M checkpoint and mitotic spindle. Conclusions: Our study identified potential aberrantly methylated-differentially expressed genes participating in the process of malignant transformation from nevus to melanoma tissues based on comprehensive genomic profiles. Transcription profiles of CKS2, DTL, KIF2C, KPNA2, MYBL2, TPX2 and FBL provided clues of aberrantly methylation-based biomarkers, which might improve the development of precise medicine.

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