Prediction of protein-protein interaction networks and druggable genes associated with parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects about 2-3% of the global population over 65 years of age and hence, it is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the world. This study explored the key genes and miRNA involved in PD. Microarray dataset (accession number GSE19587) comprising of two regions of medulla: dorsal motor nucleus of vagus (DMNV) and inferior olivary nucleus (ION) was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. A total of 697 DEGs from ION (605 up-regulated genes and 92 down-regulated genes) and 663 DEGs from DMNV (638 up-regulated genes and 25 down-regulated genes) were screened. These DEGs were found to be enriched in 46 (DMNV) and 24 (ION) pathways common in DAVID and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. In PPI network analysis, IGF1 and CD44 were identified as hub genes in DMNV whereas for ION, the hub genes identified were CSF2 and CD44. In TF-miRNA-target gene networks, an aggregate of 11 transcription factors and 46 miRNA were observed to influence the target genes. In drug-gene interaction studies, CYP3A5 and ESR1 had higher connective degrees and hence, they might be novel druggable targets for Parkinson’s disease.