In silico analysis to investigate gender differential gene expression in gastric cancer
In silico analysis to investigate gender differential gene expression in gastric cancer
Fatemeh Khara,1,*Anis Khalafiyan,2
1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran 2. Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) continues to be a significant public health issue and the second-leading cause of cancer-related death, with an estimated one million new cases each year and about 50% of cases occurring in eastern Asia.
A taxonomically common phenomenon called sexual dimorphism occurs when males and females in a given species consistently exhibit different traits. Beyond morphological and behavioral characteristics, these variations in humans and other animals also include molecular phenotypes like gene expression. Significant phenotypic gender differences have been linked to sex-specific gene regulation, which may also be a factor in gender differential susceptibility to disease.
In this study, we aim to identify the gender differential gene expression in gastric cancer and look into their underlying molecular mechanisms.
Methods: In the current study, one microarray dataset GSE183136 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO). The fold change (FC) values of individual gene levels were calculated; differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with |FC| > 0.5 and P-value < 0.05 were considered to be significant. Functional enrichment analysis was performed on the host genes of DETs (HGTs) and up-stream and down-stream genes of DETS to clarify their possible biological functions.
Results: A total of 135 samples were analyzed in this study, including 44 female and 91 male cases. Using the cut-off criteria, 117 DETs were identified between males and females. Functional enrichment on the HGTs and up and down stream genes of DETs demonstrates 93 down-regulated genes involve in the mevalonate pathway I, Ketone body metabolism, superpathway of geranyl-geranyl diphosphate biosynthesis I and Formation of the ternary complex. Twenty-four up-regulated genes mainly associate with mRNA binding pathway, viral mRNA Translation and Nonsense Mediated Decay.
Conclusion: Our findings provide new insight into the differential risk underlying this cancer as well as molecular distinctions and similarities between genders.