结节性甲状腺肿circRNA-miRNA-mRNA调控网络的构建

基于生物信息分析筛选结节性甲状腺肿中差异表达的环状RNA(circRNA),并揭示circRNA-miRNA-mRNA调控网络在结节性甲状腺肿中的作用。从GEO数据库中检索结节性甲状腺肿组织基因芯片数据,利用R软件筛选出差异表达的circRNA。联合多个生物信息数据库预测差异表达circRNA下游的miRNA及mRNA, 并对靶mRNA进行GO及KEGG富集分析。利用STRING在线数据库及Cytoscape软件筛选核心基因。确定了2个circRNA,42个miRNA及546个mRNA。GO及KEGG富集分析表明靶mRNA主要涉及细胞生长及基因表达调控过程。基于Cytoscape软件筛选出了14个核心基因(SP1、IGF1R、RPS6KB1、SMAD2、SMAD3、SMAD4、VEGFA、CCND1、CDK2、HSPA4、HIF1A、CREB1,NR3C1和STAT5A)。最终基于2个circRNA、11个miRNA和14个核心mRNA构建了circRNA-miRNA-mRNA调控网络。结节性甲状腺肿组织中异常表达的circRNA及相关的circRNA-miRNA-mRNA调控网络可能成为结节性甲状腺肿诊断与治疗的新靶点。

Construction of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in nodular goiter

To screen the differentially expressed circular RNA (circRNA) in nodular goiter based on bioinformatics analysis and reveal the role of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in nodular goiter. The microarray data of nodular goiter tissues are retrieved from GEO database, and the differentially expressed circRNA is screened by R software. Multiple bioinformatics databases are used to predict miRNAs and mRNA downstream, and target mRNA is enriched with GO and KEGG. The core genes are selected by STRING online database and Cytoscape software. Two circRNAs, 42 miRNAs and 546 mRNA are identified. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis show that the target mRNA is mainly involved in cell growth and gene expression regulation. 14 core genes (SP1, IGF1R, RPS6KB1, SMAD2, SMAD3, SMAD4, VEGFA, CCND1, CDK2, HSPA4, HIF1A, CREB1, NR3C1 and STAT5A) have been selected by the Cytoscape software. Finally, the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network is constructed based on 2 circRNAs, 11 miRNAs and 14 core mRNA. The abnormal expression of circRNA and related circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in nodular goiter may become a new target for diagnosis and treatment of nodular goiter.