The Identification of Key Genes and Biological Pathways in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and its Complications by Next Generation Squancing (NGS) and Bioinformatics Analysis

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is is associated with infertility, obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular problems, neurological and psychological problems and cancer. The specific mechanism of PCOS and its complications remains unclear. The aim of this study was to apply a bioinformatics approach to reveal related pathways or genes involved in the development of PCOS and its complications. The next generation squancing (NGS) datset GSE199225 was downloaded from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis was performed using DESeq2. The g:Profiler was utilized to analyze the functional enrichment, gene ontology (GO) and REACTOME pathway of the differentially expressed genes. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and module analysis was performed using HiPPIE and cytoscape. The miRNA-hub gene regulatory network and TF-hub gene regulatory network were also constructed for research. The expression of the hub genes was validated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We have identified 957 DEGs in total, including 478 up regulated genes and 479 down regulated gene. GO and REACTOME illustrated that DEGs in PCOS were significantly enriched in regulation of molecular function, developmental process, interferon signaling and platelet activation, signaling and aggregation. Finally, through analyzing the PPI network, modules, miRNA-hub gene regulatory network and TF-hub gene regulatory network, we screened hub genes HSPA5, PLK1, RIN3, DBN1, CCDC85B, DISC1, AR, MTUS2, LYN and TCF4 by the Cytoscape software. This study uses a series of bioinformatics technologies to obtain hug genes and key pathways related to PCOS and its complications. These analysis results provide us with novel ideas for finding biomarkers and treatment methods for PCOS and its complications.