Identification of key genes and construction of regulatory network for the progression of cervical cancer

Abstract

Across the globe, cervical cancer is the fourth main cause of cancer-associated deaths in women. The present study aimed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched pathways involved in cervical cancer. From the database, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) microarray data of 300 patients with cervical cancer (GSE44001) was used for analysis purposes. Statistical analysis was performed to identify DEGs between different stages of cervical cancer and progression, and a total of 36 common DEGs were screened. The Gene ontology analysis (GO) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were used to find relationship among the DEGs. The gene-miRNA interaction networks were constructed by NetworkAnalyst software. The study revealed that various DEGs are involved in the process of oncogeneis. Genes like TP63, IGF1, AIM2, ABCB7, ARHGAP6, RAP2B, HIST1H3C, THOC2, TRIM66, PKN3, CNBP & ATG3 may play a crucial role in cervical cancer. DEGs like THCO2, TAF5L, GPS1, PKN3 & VPSI3A are upregulated. The down regulated DEGs are KHL13, ST8IA4, RAP2B, FRMD8, EGL6, KLHDC10, TRIM66 & CNBP. Based on the investigation, miRNAs and associated DEGs were analyzed, which in turn helped us in a better understanding of the prognosis of cervical cancer. Comprehensively our results revealed the potential use of biomarkers in the diagnosis of cervical cancer and may uplift the development of advanced cervical cancer therapy and treatment of cancer.