Abstract
Genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) have important roles in human oncology. However, most of the biological factors are reported in disperse form which makes it hard to discover the pathology. In this study, genes and miRNAs involved in human endometrial cancer(EC) were collected and formed into regulatory networks following their interactive relations, including miRNAs targeting genes, transcription factors (TFs) regulating miRNAs and miRNAs included in their host genes. Networks are constructed hierarchically at three levels: differentially expressed, related and global. Among the three, the differentially expressed network is the most important and fundamental network that contains the key genes and miRNAs in EC. The target genes, TFs and miRNAs are differentially expressed in EC so that any mutation in them may impact on EC development. Some key pathways in networks were highlighted to analyze how they interactively influence other factors and carcinogenesis. Upstream and downstream pathways of the differentially expressed genes and miRNAs were compared and analyzed. The purpose of this study was to partially reveal the deep regulatory mechanisms in EC using a new method that combines comprehensive genes and miRNAs together with their relationships. It may contribute to cancer prevention and gene therapy of EC.
Highlights
EC is the fourth most common malignancy in women in the developed world after breast, colorectal and lung cancer
Genes and miRNAs involved in human endometrial cancer(EC) were collected and formed into regulatory networks following their interactive relations, including miRNAs targeting genes, transcription factors (TFs) regulating miRNAs and miRNAs included in their host genes
The target genes, TFs and miRNAs are differentially expressed in EC so that any mutation in them may impact on EC development
Summary
EC is the fourth most common malignancy in women in the developed world after breast, colorectal and lung cancer. Similar to 74,000 women die from endometrial cancer each year (Bell, 2014). Molecular targeted therapies are a focus of attention. They may provide useful future strategies for control of endometrial malignancies in developing countries and across the world (Thanapprapasr et al, 2013). The molecular events involved in the development and progression of EC remain unclear (Li et al, 2013). We mainly focus on the relationships between genes and miRNAs in EC in order to discover the regulation mechanism
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
