Identification of novel gene and pathway targets for human epilepsy treatment. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jin, Ying; Zhao, Chunzhe; Chen, Lihui; Liu, Xiangyu; Pan, Shuxiao; Ju, Dongsheng; Ma, Jing; Li, Jinying; Wei, Bo
• Is Part Of: Biological research. Volume 49:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Epilepsy -- Differentially expressed genes -- Functional annotation -- Protein–protein interaction network -- Co-expression module; Biology, Experimental -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; 570.724
• DOI: 10.1186/s40659-015-0060-5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0716-9760

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to explore epilepsy-related mechanism so as to figure out the possible targets for epilepsy treatment. Methods The gene expression profile dataset GES32534 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. We identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by Affy package. Then the DEGs were used to perform gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses. Furthermore, a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed with the DEGs followed by co-expression modules construction and analysis. Results Total 420 DEGs were screened out, including 214 up-regulated and 206 down-regulated genes. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that down-regulated genes were mainly involved in the process of immunity regulation and biological repairing process while up-regulated genes were closely related to transporter activity. PPI network analysis showed the top ten genes with high degrees were all down-regulated, among whichFN1 had the highest degree. The up-regulated and down-regulated DEGs in the PPI network generated two obvious sub-co-expression modules, respectively. In up-co-expression module, SCN3B (sodium channel, voltage gated, type III beta subunit) was enriched in GO:0006814 ~ sodium ion transport. In down-co-expression module, C1QB (complement C1s), C1S (complement component 1, S subcomponent) andCFI (complement factor I) were enriched in GO:0006955 ~ immune response. Conclusion The immune response and complement system play a major role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Additionally, C1QB, C1S, CFI, SCN3B andFN1 may be potential therapeutic targets for epilepsy.