Identification of key genes and miRNAs related to polycystic ovary syndrome by comprehensive analysis of microarray

BACKGROUND: We aimed to explore mechanisms of development and progression of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: The microRNA expression microarray GSE37914 and gene expression profiles GSE43264 and GSE98421 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and genes (DEGs) were screened using Limma package. Then, the DEGs and DEmiRNAs were combined to use for the subsequent analysis, including the functional enrichment analysis, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and module analysis, drug–gene interaction network analysis, and DEmiRNAs–DEGs interactive network construction. RESULTS: A total of 26 DEmiRNAs and 80 DEGs were screened. The PPI network contained 68 nodes and 259 interactions. A significant clustering module with 8 nodes and 25 interactions was obtained. Three PCOS-related overlapping pathways were obtained based on PPI-degree top10 and module genes, including prion diseases, Staphylococcus aureus infection, and Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis). A total of 44 drug–gene interaction pairs were obtained, which included 2 up-regulated genes (LDLR and VCAM1), 4 down-regulated genes (C1QA, C1QB, IL6 and ACAN) and 26 small molecules drugs. A total of 52 nodes and 57 interactions were obtained in the DEmiRNA–DEGs regulatory network, LDLR was regulated by miR-152-3p, miR-1207-5p, miR-378a-5p and miR-150-5p. CONCLUSIONS: Our research has identified several key genes and pathways related to PCOS. These results can improve our understanding of PCOS and provide new basis for drug target research.