ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Endocrinol., 24 June 2021

Sec. Systems Endocrinology

Volume 12 - 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.628907

Identification of Key Pathways and Genes in Obesity Using Bioinformatics Analysis and Molecular Docking Studies

  • 1. Department of Endocrinology, Endocrine and Diabetes Care Center, Hubbali, India

  • 2. Department of Biochemistry, Basaveshwar College of Pharmacy, Gadag, India

  • 3. Department of Medicine, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Kolhapur, India

  • 4. Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Chanabasava Nilaya, Bharthinagar, Dharwad, India

  • 5. Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysuru and JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India

  • 6. Department of Ayurveda, Rajiv Gandhi Education Society`s Ayurvedic Medical College, Ron, India

Article metrics

View details

21

Citations

9,4k

Views

3,8k

Downloads

Abstract

Obesity is an excess accumulation of body fat. Its progression rate has remained high in recent years. Therefore, the aim of this study was to diagnose important differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated in its development, which may be used as novel biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets for obesity. The gene expression profile of E-MTAB-6728 was downloaded from the database. After screening DEGs in each ArrayExpress dataset, we further used the robust rank aggregation method to diagnose 876 significant DEGs including 438 up regulated and 438 down regulated genes. Functional enrichment analysis was performed. These DEGs were shown to be significantly enriched in different obesity related pathways and GO functions. Then protein–protein interaction network, target genes - miRNA regulatory network and target genes - TF regulatory network were constructed and analyzed. The module analysis was performed based on the whole PPI network. We finally filtered out STAT3, CORO1C, SERPINH1, MVP, ITGB5, PCM1, SIRT1, EEF1G, PTEN and RPS2 hub genes. Hub genes were validated by ICH analysis, receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis and RT-PCR. Finally a molecular docking study was performed to find small drug molecules. The robust DEGs linked with the development of obesity were screened through the expression profile, and integrated bioinformatics analysis was conducted. Our study provides reliable molecular biomarkers for screening and diagnosis, prognosis as well as novel therapeutic targets for obesity.

Introduction

Obesity has long been part of the larger metabolic disorder and affects a large proportion of the global population particularly in the Western World (1). Obesity is diagnosed on the basis of body mass index (1). Obesity occurs in children age between 5 to 19 years as well as more common in women than in men (2). Countless surveys have proved that obesity is an key risk factor for heart disease (3), hyperlipidaemia (4), hyperinsulinaemia (5), hypertension (6), atherosclerosis (7), insulin resistance (8) and cancer (9). Important candidate genes and relevant signaling pathways linked with obesity remains largely unknown. As a result, seek of an earlier diagnosis and better prognosis, deeper understanding of genetic and molecular mechanisms about obesity is necessary.

Previous reports demonstrate that many genes and signaling pathways participate in obesity. Polymorphisms in UCP2 and UCP3 were responsible for development of obesity (10). TNFα and lipoprotein lipase were important for advancement of obesity (11). SLC6A14 (12) and JHDM2A (13) were lined with pathogenesis of obesity. Human salivary (AMY1) and pancreatic (AMY2) amylase genes were diagnosed with growth of obesity (14). Signaling pathways such as inflammatory signaling pathway (15), TLR4 signaling pathway (16), calcineurin-dependent signaling pathways (17), mTOR Complex1–S6K1 signaling pathway (18) and leptin-signaling pathway (19) were important for development of obesity. Therefore, it is meaningful to explore the precise molecular mechanisms involved in obesity and thus find a valid diagnostic way and generate an advance therapeutic strategy.

In present trends, the application of high-throughput analysis in gene expression profiling is becoming more valuable in clinical and medical research (20), molecular classification (21), prognosis prediction (22), diagnoses (23) and new targeted drug discovery (24). In this study, the original microarray data (E-MTAB-6728) was downloaded from ArrayExpress database (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/) and analyzed to get differently expressed genes (DEGs) between obesity persons and lean persons (normal controls). Subsequently, gene ontology (GO), pathway enrichment analysis, protein–protein interaction network construction and analysis, module analysis, target gene - miRNA interaction network construction and analysis, and target gene - TF interaction network construction and analysis to discover the key genes and pathways closely related to obesity. Finally, selected hub genes were validated by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis and RT-PCR. This current investigation aimed at using bioinformatics tools to predict the key pathways and genes in obesity that can hold a value for target based therapeutic means.

Materials and Methods

Microarray Data

The microarray expression profile of E-MTAB-6728 was downloaded from ArrayExpress (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/). E-MTAB-6728 was based on A-MEXP-1171 - Illumina HumanHT-12 v3.0 Expression BeadChip and was submitted by Bjune et al. (25). The E-MTAB-6728 dataset about expression of genes from obesity persons compared to lean persons (normal controls).There are twenty-four samples including twelve obesity persons and lean persons (normal controls). The overall design of the experiment was microarray analysis of adiposities from obese patients versus adipocytes from lean persons (controls).

Identification of DEGs

The raw data files were acquired for the analysis as IDAT files (Illumina platform) forms and were converted into gene symbols and then processed to background correction and quantile data normalization using the effective multiarray average algorithm in the beadarray package (26). The analysis was carried out via R software (version 3.5.2). Hierarchical clustering analysis was applied to categorize the samples into two groups with similar expression patterns in obesity persons and lean persons (normal controls). The paired Student’s t-test based on the Limma package in R bioconductor was used to diagnose DEGs between two experimental conditions (27). Multiple testing corrections were performed by the Benjamini–Hochberg method (28). Then, the Log2 Fold change (log2FC) was determined. We selected up regulated DEGs with | log2FC | > 0.524 and FDR < 0.05, and down regulated DEGs with | log2FC | < -0.394 and FDR < 0.05 were considered as the cutoff values.

Pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) Enrichment Analysis of DEGs

The BIOCYC, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), REACTOME, Pathway Interaction Database (PID), GenMAPP, MSigDB C2 BIOCARTA, PantherDB, Pathway Ontology and Small Molecule Pathway Database (SMPDB) databases are a knowledge base for systematic analysis, annotation, and visualization of gene functions. The GO database can add functional classification for genomic data, including categories of biological processes (BP), cellular component (CC), and molecular function (MF). GO analysis is a prevalent genes and gene products annotating approach. ToppCluster (https://toppcluster.cchmc.org/) (29) is an online tool for gene functional classification, which is a key foundation for high-throughput gene analysis to understand the biological importance of genes. In the current investigation, in order to analyze the functions of DEGs, Pathway and GO enrichment analysis were conducted using the ToppCluster online tool; p<0.05 was set as the cutoff point.

Integration of PPI Network and Module Analysis

The mentha (https://mentha.uniroma2.it/) (30) is a biological database designed to predict protein-protein interaction (PPI) information. The DEGs were mapped to STRING to evaluate the interactive relationships, with a confidence score >0.9 defined as significant. Then, integration of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was visualized using cytoscape software (version 3.8.2) (http://www.cytoscape.org/) (31). The plug-in Network Analyzer identified hub genes based on mathematical calculation methods such as node degree (32), betweenness (33), stress (34) and closeness (35) the number of genes within centrality mathematical calculation methods were represented the significance of the disorder. The PEWCC1 was applied to screen modules of PPI network with degree cutoff = 2, node score cutoff = 0.2, k-core = 2, and max. depth = 100 (36). The functional enrichment analysis in the module was performed by ToppCluster.

Construction of Target Genes - miRNA Regulatory Network

MiRNA of target genes were explored combined with the human miRNA information (miRNet database, (https://www.mirnet.ca/) (37), recorded using TarBase, miRTarBase, miRecords, miR2Disease, HMDD, SM2miR, PhenomiR, PharmacomiR, EpimiR and starBase databases, and visualized using the Cytoscape software (31).

Construction of Target Genes - TF Regulatory Network

TFs of hub genes were explored combined with the human TF information (NetworkAnalyst database, http://www.networkanalyst.ca) (38), recorded using ENCODE database, and visualized using the Cytoscape software (31).

Validation of Hub Genes

Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of adipose tissues was performed utilizing human protein atlas (www.proteinatlas.org) (39). ROC analysis was performed using pROC package (40) in R. ROC analyses were estimated for diagnostic value of hub genes. When the AUC value was > 0.7, the hub genes were considered to be capable of distinguishing obesity persons from normal lean with excellent specificity and sensitivity.

Detection of the mRNA Expression of the Hub Genes by RT-PCR

D12 (ATCC CRL-3280) cell line for obesity and D16 (ATCC CRL-3281) cell line a normal control were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) (Maryland, USA). D12 cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) F­12 medium, which contains 10% fetal bovine serum. D16 cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) F­12 medium, which contains 10% fetal bovine serum. The culture temperature is 37°C and CO2 concentration is 5%. Total cellular RNA was extracted from cell culture with 1 ml TRI Reagent® (Sigma, USA). Reverse transcription cDNA kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) and random primers were used to synthesize cDNA. RT-PCR was performed using QuantStudio 7 Flex real-time PCR system (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). The conditions for RT-PCR amplification were as follows: 95°C for 120 seconds followed by 40 cycles of 95°C for 15 seconds, annealing temperature for 45 seconds. Each sample was run in triplicate. Relative expression level for each target gene was normalized by the Ct value of β-actin (internal control) using a 2 −ΔΔCT relative quantification method (41). The primer pairs used in the experiments are listed in Supplementary Table 1.

Molecular Docking Studies

The module SYBYL-X 2.0 perpetual software was used for Surflex-Docking of the designed molecules. The molecules were sketched by using ChemDraw Software and imported and saved in sdf. format using Openbabelfree software. The one co-crystallized protein from each of ERBB2, STAT3 and HSPAB8 were selected for docking studies. The protein structures of ERBB2, STAT3 and HSPAB8 of PDB code 1MFL, 5OOW and 3CWG was retrieved from Protein Data Bank (4244). Together with the TRIPOS force field, GasteigerHuckel (GH) charges were added to all designed molecules and the standard ant-obesity drug Orlistat, for the structure optimization process. In addition, energy minimization was carried out using MMFF94s and MMFF94 algorithm process. Protein processing was carried out after the incorporation of protein. The co-crystallized ligand and all water molecules were removed from the crystal structure; more hydrogen’s were added and the side chain was set. TRIPOS force field was used for the minimization of structure. The designed molecules interaction efficiency with the receptor was represented by the Surflex-Dock score in kcal/mol units. The interaction between the protein and the ligand, the best pose was incorporated into the molecular area. The visualization of ligand interaction with receptor is done by using discovery studio visualizer.

Results

Data Normalization

Each array was normalized (centered) by quantile data normalization using the beadarray package in R bioconductor. As shown in Figures 1A, B, raw expression data were normalized after preprocessing; median-centered values demonstrated that the data were normalized and thus it was possible to cross-compare between obesity persons and lean persons (normal controls).

Figure 1

Figure 1

Box plots of the gene expression data before (A) and after normalization (B). Horizontal axis represents the sample symbol and the vertical axis represents the gene expression values. The black line in the box plot represents the median value of gene expression. (A1-A12 = adipocytes from lean persons; B1-B12 = adipocytes from obese patients).

Identification of DEGs Between Obese Patients and Lean Persons

To preliminarily understand the mechanism contributing to the obesity, 24 patients [12 obesity persons and 12 lean persons (normal controls)] were selected for subsequent analysis. Based on the analysis, a total of 876 DEG compose of 438 genes had been expressed highly and about 438 genes had been shown to decrease expression in obesity and are listed in Supplementary Table 2. The FDR <0.05 was as a threshold value. Heat map is shown in Figure 2. Volcano plot for DEGs is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 2

Figure 2

Heat map of differentially expressed genes.

Figure 3

Figure 3

Volcano plot of differentially expressed genes. Genes with a significant change of more than two-fold were selected.

Pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) Enrichment Analysis of DEGs

To further investigate the biologic functions and mechanisms of the DEGs, pathway and GO enrichment analyses were performed using ToppCluster tool. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the up regulated genes were mainly enriched in thyroid hormone metabolism II (via conjugation and/or degradation), ECM-receptor interaction, IL6-mediated signaling events, collagen formation, C21 steroid hormone metabolism, genes encoding collagen proteins, integrin signalling pathway, hypertension and suprofen pathway, and are listed in Supplementary Table 3. Similarly, down regulated genes were mainly enriched in superpathway of methionine degradation, ribosome, FoxO family signaling, eukaryotic translation elongation, propanoate metabolism, CDK regulation of DNA replication, p38 MAPK pathway, glycine, serine and threonine metabolic, and glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, and are listed in Supplementary Table 4. GO analysis results showed that up regulated genes were significantly enriched in blood vessel morphogenesis, extracellular matrix and growth factor binding, and are listed in Supplementary Table 5. Similarly, down regulated genes were mainly enriched in organic acid biosynthetic process, cytosolic small ribosomal subunit and structural constituent of ribosome, and are listed in Supplementary Table 6.

Integration of PPI Network and Module Analysis

The PPI network of up regulated genes consisted of 7271 nodes and 16270 edges (Figure 4) and down regulated genes consisted of 7276 nodes and 19862 edges (Figure 5) constructed in the mentha database and visualized using Cytoscape software. Based on the mentha database, the DEGs with the highest PPI scores identified by the four centrality methods are shown in Supplementary Table 7. There are 5 up regulated genes selected as hub genes, such as HSPA8, HSPA5, YWHAH, STAT3 and ERBB2, and 5 down regulated genes selected as hub genes, such as ESR1, ARRB1, CSNK2A2, RBBP4 and NR3C1. A significant module was obtained from PPI network of DEGs using PEWCC1, including module 1 contains 49 nodes and 99 edges (Figure 6A) and module 2 contains 66 nodes and 754 edges (Figure 6B). Functional enrichment analysis revealed that genes in these modules were mainly involved in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, regulation of nuclear SMAD2/3 signaling, ribosome, eukaryotic translation elongation, metabolism of amino acids and derivatives, disease, cellular amide metabolic process, establishment of protein localization to endoplasmic reticulum, monocarboxylic acid biosynthetic process translation, translational initiation, macromolecule catabolic process and cytosolic small ribosomal subunit.

Figure 4

Figure 4

Protein–protein interaction network of up regulated genes. Green nodes denotes up regulated genes.

Figure 5

Figure 5

Protein–protein interaction network of down regulated genes.

Figure 6

Figure 6

(A) Module of up regulated genes. The green nodes denote the up regulated genes (B) Module of down regulated genes. The red nodes denote the down regulated genes.

Construction of Target Genes - miRNA Regulatory Network

To further understand the regulatory network between miRNAs and target genes, through miRNet database were constructed by Cytoscape. As shown in Figure 7, the miRNA-regulated network with 2613 nodes (miRNA: 2261; target gene: 352) and 17260 edges was obtained for up regulated target genes and Figure 8, the miRNA-regulated network with 2685 nodes (miRNA: 2327; target gene: 358) and 19827 edges was obtained for down regulated target genes. Different target genes regulated by miRNAs are shown in Supplementary Table 8. SOD2 had been predicted to regulate 257 miRNAs (ex; hsa-mir-3144-3p), CCND1 had been predicted to regulate 251 miRNAs (ex; hsa-mir-7706), TUBB2A had been predicted to regulate 193 miRNAs (ex; hsa-mir-5692c), CCND2 had been predicted to regulate 179 miRNAs (ex; hsa-mir-7162-3p), TMEM189 had been predicted to regulate 146 miRNAs (ex; hsa-mir-548z), BTG2 had been predicted to regulate 247 miRNAs (ex; hsa-mir-6075), TXNIP had been predicted to regulate 228 miRNAs (ex; hsa-mir-3194-3p), MED28 had been predicted to regulate 203 miRNAs (ex; hsa-mir-6861-5p), CNBP had been predicted to regulate 197 miRNAs (ex; hsa-mir-4651) and MKNK2 had been predicted to regulate 195 miRNAs (ex; hsa-mir-3650).

Figure 7

Figure 7

The network of up regulated genes and their related miRNAs. The green circles nodes are the up regulated genes, and chocolate diamond nodes are the miRNAs.

Figure 8

Figure 8

The network of down regulated genes and their related miRNAs. The red circles nodes are the down regulated genes, and chocolate diamond nodes are the miRNAs.

Construction of Target Genes - TF Regulatory Network

To further understand the regulatory network between TFs and target genes, through NetworkAnalyst database were constructed by Cytoscape. As shown in Figure 9, the TF-regulated network with 629 nodes (TF: 336; Gene: 293) and 6293 edges was obtained for up regulated target genes and Figure 10, the TF-regulated network with 2685 nodes (TF: 342; Gene: 299) and 8597 edges was obtained for down regulated target genes. Different target genes regulated by TFs are shown in Supplementary Table 9. YWHAH had been predicted to regulate 70 TFs (ex; MAZ), LYZ had been predicted to regulate 62 TFs (ex; TFDP1), HP had been predicted to regulate 60 TFs (ex; KLF9), TRAM2 had been predicted to regulate 54 TFs (ex; KLF16), CCND1 had been predicted to regulate 51 TFs (ex; EZH2), EFNA1 had been predicted to regulate 91 TFs (ex; TFDP1), MED16 had been predicted to regulate 85 TFs (ex; MAZ), RWDD2A had been predicted to regulate 82 TFs (ex; KDM5B), ADD3 had been predicted to regulate 82 TFs (ex; SAP30) and AIP had been predicted to regulate 82 TFs (ex; PHF8).

Figure 9

Figure 9

TF ‐ gene network of predicted target up regulated genes. (Blue triangle - TFs and green circles- target up regulated genes).

Figure 10

Figure 10

TF‐gene network of predicted target down regulated genes. (Blue triangle - TFs and red circles- target up regulated genes).

Validation of Hub Genes

Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the expression of STAT3, CORO1C, SERPINH1, MVP and ITGB5 were highly expressed in adipose tissues, whereas PCM1, SIRT1, EEF1G, PTEN and RPS2 were low expressed in adipose tissue (Figure 11I) and Box plots is showed in Figure 11II. Validated by ROC curves, we found that 10 hub genes had high sensitivity and specificity, including STAT3 (0.951), CORO1C (0.799), SERPINH1 (0.924), MVP (0.938), ITGB5 (0.938), PCM1 (0.826), SIRT1 (0.799), EEF1G (0.913), PTEN (0.833) and RPS2 (0.840) (Figure 12). The 10 hub genes might be biomarkers of obesity and have positive implications for early medical intervention of the disease.

Figure 11

Figure 11

I) Immunohisto chemical l (IHC) analyses of hub genes were produced using the human protein atlas (HPA) online platform. II) Box plot for IHC analysis of hub genes (A) STAT3 (B) CORO1C (C) SERPINH1 (D) MVP (E) ITGB5 (F) PCM1 (G) SIRT1 (H) EEF1G (I) PTEN (J) RPS2.

Figure 12

Figure 12

ROC curve validated the sensitivity, specificity of hub genes as a predictive biomarker for obesity prognosis. (A) STAT3 (B) CORO1C (C) SERPINH1 (D) MVP (E) ITGB5 (F) PCM1 (G) SIRT1 (H) EEF1G (I) PTEN (J) RPS2.

Detection of the mRNA Expression of the Hub Genes by RT-PCR

The adipocytes were removed to detect the mRNA expression levels of hub genes in the PPI network, including STAT3, CORO1C, SERPINH1, MVP, ITGB5, PCM1, SIRT1, EEF1G, PTEN and RPS2. It was found that the mRNA expression levels of STAT3, CORO1C, SERPINH1, MVP and ITGB5 were significantly increased in the obesity compared with the control group. Furthermore, the results illustrate that the mRNA expression levels of PCM1, SIRT1, EEF1G, PTEN and RPS2 were significantly decreased in the obesity compared with the control group (Figure 13). Therefore, the RT-PCR results of the hub genes were consistent with the bioinformatics analysis.

Figure 13

Figure 13

Validation of hub genes by RT- PCR. (A) STAT3 (B) CORO1C (C) SERPINH1 (D) MVP E) ITGB5 (F) PCM1 (G) SIRT1 (H) EEF1G (I) PTEN (J) RPS2.

Molecular Docking Studies

In the present research, the docking simulations are performed to identify the active site conformation and major interactions responsible for complex stability with the ligand receptor. Designed novel molecules containing four membered more sensitive β-lactam ring, the four membered and performed docking studies using Sybyl X 2.1 drug design software. Molecules containing β-lactam ring is designed which is easily reacting group Figure 14A, based on the structure of anti-obesity drug orlistatfour membered ring Figure 14B, has potent pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity. The molecules were designed based on the structure of the standard anti-obesity drug orlistat. The one protein in each of three over expressed genes of ERBB2, its co-crystallized protein of PDB code 1MFL,HSPAB 8its co-crystallized protein of PDB code 5OOW and STAT 3its co-crystallized protein of PDB code of 3CWG respectively selected for docking studies. The investigation of designed molecules was performed to identify the potential molecule. The most of the designed molecules with respect to the standard anti-obesity drug orlistat, obtained C-score greater than 5. The C-score greater than 5 are said to be an active, among total of 32 designed molecules few molecules have excellent good binding energy (C-score) greater than 7 respectively. The molecule ND4, FU5 and PF5 obtained score of 7.242, 7.659 and 7.842 with 1MFL and the molecules PM6, ND1, ND3, ND5, ND6, PF5 and PF6 obtained score of 7.5269, 7.6271, 8.0824, 7.6595, 7.0792 and 7.2659 with 3 CWG and the molecules PM4, PM6, ND1, ND5, ND6, PF4, and PF obtained good binding score of 7.1631, 8.8312, 7.3781, 7.9872, 7.9567, 7.0213 and 7.0386 with 5OOW respectively. The molecules found binding score 5-6 is PM1, PM2, PM3, PM4, PM5, PM6, PM7, PM8, ND1, ND2, ND3, ND5, ND6, ND7, ND8, FU1, FU2, FU3, FU4, FU7, FU8, PF1, PF2, PF3, PF4, PF6, PF7, PF8 and standard olistat (STD) with 1MFL and PM2, PM6, FU17, FU18, FU19, FU20, FU23, PF26, PF27, PF28 and PF32 with 3CWG, and PM1, PM2, PM3, PM5, PM7, PM8, ND2, ND3, ND4, ND7, ND8, FU1, FU2, FU3, FU4, FU5, FU6, FU7, FU8, PF1, PF2, PF3, PF6, PF7 and PF8 5OOW respectively. No molecules obtained binding score with less than 5 respectively; the values are depicted in Supplementary Table 10. The molecule PF5 has good binding score with all three proteins and ND1, ND3, ND5 and ND6 obtained good binding score with 3CWG and 5OOW. The molecule ND5 has highest binding score and is very close with standard olistat, the interaction with protein 5OOW and hydrogen bonding and other bonding interactions with amino acids are depicted by 3D (Figure 15) and 2D (Figure 16) images.

Figure 14

Figure 14

(A) Scheme of designed molecule (B) Structure of orlistat.

Figure 15

Figure 15

3D Interaction of ND5 with 5OOW.

Figure 16

Figure 16

2D Interaction of ND5 with 5OOW.

Discussion

Due to the heterogeneity of obesity, obesity was still a disease with high rates of prevalence. This might be due to the scarcity of valid biomarkers for detection of obesity and of valid treatment for obesity. Therefore, molecular mechanisms of obesity are necessary for scientists to find the treat and diagnosis method of obesity. Because of the fast advancement of bioinformatics analysis, it is more convenient to find out the genetic modification in obesity. Bioinformatics analysis enables us to explore the gene, the genetic change in obesity, which had been proved to be a better approach to identify novel biomarkers.

In our study, a total of 876 DEGs were diagnosed from gene expression dataset, consisting of 438 up regulated genes and 438 down regulated genes in obese patients compared to lean persons. Study showed that PTGDS (prostaglandin D2 synthase) (45), LBP (lipopolysaccharide binding protein) (46), EGFL6 (47), STAT3 (48) and HDAC9 (49) were closely associated with obesity. The expression level of CYP11A1 (50) and WNT11 (51) were linked to cancer progression, but these genes might be novel target for obesity. A previous study showed that expression of GPR146 played an important role in insulin resistance (52), but these genes might be novel target for obesity. Aberrant expression of RFX1 (53) and (54) are noticeable factors in the heart disease, but these genes might be novel target for obesity. CLDND1 expression predicted poor therapeutic outcomes of hypertension patients (55).

Functional enrichment analysis of DEGs was implemented. SULT1A1 (56), SULT1A2 (56), COL6A1 (57), COL6A2 (58), SOS1 (59), STAT1 (60), COL5A2 (61), RND3 (62), COL15A1 (63), CBS (cystathionine-beta-synthase) (64), MCM6 (65), TNFRSF12A (66), FMOD (fibromodulin) (67), TYMP (thymidine phosphorylase) (68), ALPL (alkaline phosphatase, biomineralization associated) (69), EFEMP1 (70), MFAP4 (71), IGFBP5 (72), GLUL (glutamate-ammonia ligase) (73), HACD1 (74) and SCP2 (75) have been reported to be biomarkers of heart disease or play a vital role in its pathogenesis, but these genes might be novel target for obesity. Several studies have shown that expressions of COL1A2 (76), COL3A1 (77), EEF2K (78), ANGPT1 (79), NOTCH3 (80) and TGFBR2 (81) can be a strong prognosis biomarker in patients with hypertension, but these genes might be novel target for obesity. DAG1 (82), ITGAV (integrin subunit alpha V) (83), LAMA5 (84), SPP1 (85), COL11A1 (86), COL12A1 (87), SERPINH1 (88), RHOC (89), RPL14 (90), RPL29 (91), RPS12 (92), RPS15A (93), RPS2 (94), RPS27 (95), RPS3 (96), RBL2 (97), EEF1D (98), ACACA (acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha) (99), ORC2 (100), PHGDH (phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase) (101), SHMT1 (102), NRCAM (neuronal cell adhesion molecule) (103), NRP2 (104), RSPO3 (105), SRPX2 (106), THY1 (107), CD248 (108), CLEC3B (109), CST3 (110), CTHRC1 (111), GPC1 (112), ACSS2 (113) and HSD17B12 (114) have been extensively reported as a tumor biomarkers, but these genes might be novel target for obesity. The results obtained were consistent with studies that role of LAMB3 (115), THBS1 (116), TIMP1 (117), LOX (lysyl oxidase) (118), MMP9 (119), HSD11B1 (120), ITGB2 (121), HMOX1 (122), SOD2 (123), AKR1C3 (124), MAT2B (125), FOXO1 (126), FOXO3 (127), SIRT1 (128), ACACB (acetyl-CoA carboxylase beta) (129), ELK1 (130), MAP3K5 (131), CTH (cystathionine gamma-lyase) (132), AMOT (angiomotin) (133), CCDC80 (134), CXCL10 (135), ERBB2 (136), KLF4 (137), LEP (leptin) (138), MFGE8 (139), SLIT2 (140), TNMD (tenomodulin) (141), ADAMTS5 (142), ELN (elastin) (143), HTRA1 (144), LUM (lumican) (145), MFAP5 (146), IL1RN (147), ACADL (acyl-CoA dehydrogenase long chain) (148), AGT (angiotensinogen) (149), FADS1 (150), PDK4 (151), PER2 (152) and SLC27A2 (153) in obesity. CDKN1B was shown to be a potential predictor of advanced hyperinsulinemia (154), but this gene might be novel target for obesity. Reports illustrate that CXCL12 (155) and IGFBP6 (156) and ELOVL6 (157) were expressed in patients with insulin resistance, but these genes might be novel target for obesity.

Furthermore, by constructing PPI networks and moduleas, we identified some key genes that provide new insights for obesity diagnosis, prognosis, and drug target identification. Expression of the HSPA8 (158) and CKB (159) were correlated with disease grades of hypertension, but these genes might be novel target for obesity. Recent studies have proposed that HSPA5 (160), YWHAH (161), ESR1 (162), PTEN (163), IRAK1 (164), CYR61 (165) and ZBTB16 (166) are involved in obesity. Previous reports demonstrate that SPTAN1 (167), STEAP2 (168), NEK6 (169), ARRB1 (170), FBXO11 (171), UBR2 (172), INTS6 (173), CDK14 (174). LMO2 (175), MSN (176), TAGLN2 (177), SRSF3 (178), SAFB (179), SIN3A (180), TRIM24 (181) and AUTS2 (182) appears to be constitutively activated in cancer, but these genes might be novel target for obesity. CSNK2A2 expression might be regarded as an indicator of susceptibility to heart disease (183), but this gene might be novel target for obesity. COPG2, FBL, CSNK2B, PCM1, ZNF581, KHDRBS1, RBMX, RBBP4 and DCAF7 are novel biomarkers for obesity.

Target genes - miRNA regulatory network and target genes - TF regulatory network were constructed and analyzed. A previous study reported that CCND1 (184) and HP (185) were expressed in obesity. CCND2 (186) and TXNIP (187) are a potential marker for the detection and prognosis of insulin resistance, but these genes might be novel target for obesity. Other research has revealed that BTG2 was expressed in obesity (188). Expression of MED28 (189) and EFNA1 (190) might participate in cancer progression, but these genes might be novel target for obesity. TUBB2A, TMEM189, CNBP, LYZ, TRAM2, MED16, RWDD2A, ADD3 and AIP are a novel biomarkers for obesity.

However, this investigation had some limitations. Primarily, the mechanisms of several hub genes in the pathological process of obesity remain unclear, warranting needs further investigation. Moreover, the success of our small molecule drug compound screening in reducing obesity remains to be assessed.

In conclusion, in this study, we determined that STAT3, CORO1C, SERPINH1, MVP, ITGB5, PCM1, SIRT1, EEF1G, PTEN and RPS2 might be critical genes in the development and prognosis of obesity through bioinformatics analysis combined with validations. However, it is essential that further experiments are carried out and clinical data made available to confirm the results of our investigation and guide the discovery of future gene therapies against obesity.

Statements

Data availability statement

The datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are available in the ArrayExpress (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/arrayexpress/) repository. [E-MTAB-6728) (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/arrayexpress/experiments/E-MTAB-6728/)].

Author contributions

HJ: Methodology and validation. BV: Writing original draft, and review and editing. NJ: Software and resources. CV: Investigation and resources. AT: Formal analysis and validation. IK: Supervision and resources. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Acknowledgments

We thank Jan-Inge Bjune, Gunnar Mellgren and Simon N Dankel UNIVERSITY IN BERGEN, The Hormone Laboratory, 8.etg Lab Building, Jonas Lies road 91B, 5021 Bergen very much, the authors who deposited their microarray dataset, E-MTAB-6728, into the public Array Express database.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Supplementary material

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.628907/full#supplementary-material

References

  • 1

    ColeTJBellizziMCFlegalKMDietzWH. Establishing a Standard Definition for Child Overweight and Obesity Worldwide: International Survey. BMJ (2000) 320(7244):1240–3. doi: 10.1136/bmj.320.7244.1240

  • 2

    KrotkiewskiMBjörntorpPSjöströmLSmithU. Impact of Obesity on Metabolism in Men and Women. Importance of Regional Adipose Tissue Distribution. J Clin Invest (1983) 72(3):1150–62. doi: 10.1172/JCI111040

  • 3

    FreedmanDSKhanLKDietzWHSrinivasanSRBerensonGS. Relationship of Childhood Obesity to Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors in Adulthood: The Bogalusa Heart Study. Pediatrics (2001) 108(3):712–8. doi: 10.1542/peds.108.3.712

  • 4

    LocseyLAsztalosLKincsesZBercziCParaghG. The Importance of Obesity and Hyperlipidaemia in Patients With Renal Transplants. Int Urol Nephrol (1998) 30(6):767–75. doi: 10.1007/BF02564866

  • 5

    BeckerSDossusLKaaksR. Obesity Related Hyperinsulinaemia and Hyperglycaemia and Cancer Development. Arch Physiol Biochem (2009) 115(2):8696. doi: 10.1080/13813450902878054

  • 6

    RahmouniKCorreiaMLHaynesWGMarkAL. Obesity-Associated Hypertension: New Insights Into Mechanisms. Hypertension (2005) 45(1):914. doi: 10.1161/01.HYP.0000151325.83008.b4

  • 7

    LovrenFTeohHVermaS. Obesity and Atherosclerosis: Mechanistic Insights. Can J Cardiol (2015) 31(2):177–83. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2014.11.031

  • 8

    SteppanCMBaileySTBhatSBrownEJBanerjeeRRWrightCMet al. The Hormone Resistin Links Obesity to Diabetes. Nature (2001) 409(6818):307–12. doi: 10.1038/35053000

  • 9

    CalleEEKaaksR. Overweight, Obesity and Cancer: Epidemiological Evidence and Proposed Mechanisms. Nat Rev Cancer (2004) 4(8):579–91. doi: 10.1038/nrc1408

  • 10

    JiaJJZhangXGeCRJoisM. The Polymorphisms of UCP2 and UCP3 Genes Associated With Fat Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes. Obes Rev (2009) 10(5):519–26. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2009.00569.x

  • 11

    KernPA. Potential Role of TNFalpha and Lipoprotein Lipase as Candidate Genes for Obesity. J Nutr (1997) 127(9):1917S–22S. doi: 10.1093/jn/127.9.1917S

  • 12

    SuviolahtiEOksanenLJOhmanMCantorRMRidderstraleMTuomiTet al. The SLC6A14 Gene Shows Evidence of Association With Obesity. J Clin Invest. (2003) 112(11):1762–72. doi: 10.1172/JCI17491

  • 13

    OkadaYTateishiKZhangY. Histone Demethylase JHDM2A is Involved in Male Infertility and Obesity. J Androl (2010) 31(1):75–8. doi: 10.2164/jandrol.109.008052

  • 14

    CarpenterDDharSMitchellLMFuBTysonJShwanNAet al. Obesity, Starch Digestion and Amylase: Association Between Copy Number Variants at Human Salivary (AMY1) and Pancreatic (AMY2) Amylase Genes. Hum Mol Genet (2015) 24(12):3472–80. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddv098

  • 15

    TantiJFCeppoFJagerJBerthouF. Implication of Inflammatory Signaling Pathways in Obesity-Induced Insulin Resistance. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) (2013) 3:181. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00181

  • 16

    KimKAGuWLeeIAJohEHKimDH. High Fat Diet-Induced Gut Microbiota Exacerbates Inflammation and Obesity in Mice Via the TLR4 Signaling Pathway. PloS One (2012) 7(10):e47713. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047713

  • 17

    BrionesAMNguyen Dinh CatACalleraGEYogiABurgerDHeYet al. Adipocytes Produce Aldosterone Through Calcineurin-Dependent Signaling Pathways: Implications in Diabetes Mellitus-Associated Obesity and Vascular Dysfunction. Hypertension (2012) 59(5):1069–78. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.190223

  • 18

    DannSGSelvarajAThomasG. Mtor Complex1-S6K1 Signaling: At the Crossroads of Obesity, Diabetes and Cancer. Trends Mol Med (2007) 13(6):252–9. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2007.04.002

  • 19

    MatteviVSZembrzuskiVMHutzMH. Association Analysis of Genes Involved in the Leptin-Signaling Pathway With Obesity in Brazil. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord (2002) 26(9):1179–85. doi: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0802067

  • 20

    LiHLiXGuoJWuGDongCPangYet al. Identification of Biomarkers and Mechanisms of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Using Microarray Data. Cardiol J (2018) 27(6):807–16. doi: 10.5603/CJ.a2018.0113

  • 21

    WeiLWangJLampertESchlangerSDePriestADHuQet al. Intratumoral and Intertumoral Genomic Heterogeneity of Multifocal Localized Prostate Cancer Impacts Molecular Classifications and Genomic Prognosticators. Eur Urol (2017) 71(2):183–92. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2016.07.008

  • 22

    YanYXuZQianLZengSZhouYChenXet al. Identification of CAV1 and DCN as Potential Predictive Biomarkers for Lung Adenocarcinoma. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol (2019) 316(4):L630–43. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00364.2018

  • 23

    FanGTuYChenCSunHWanCCaiX. DNA Methylation Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int (2018) 18:140. doi: 10.1186/s12935-018-0629-5

  • 24

    JiaLJiaRLiYLiXJiaQZhangH. LCK as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Acute Rejection After Kidney Transplantation: A Bioinformatics Clue. J Immunol Res (2018) 2018:6451298. doi: 10.1155/2018/6451298

  • 25

    BjuneJIHaugenCGudbrandsenONordbøOPNielsenHJVågeVet al. IRX5 Regulates Adipocyte Amyloid Precursor Protein and Mitochondrial Respiration in Obesity. Int J Obes (Lond) (2018) 43(11):2151–62. doi: 10.1038/s41366-018-0275-y

  • 26

    DunningMJSmithMLRitchieMETavaréS. Beadarray: R Classes and Methods for Illumina Bead-Based Data. Bioinformatics (2007) 23(16):2183–4. doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btm311

  • 27

    RitchieMEPhipsonBWuDHuYLawCWShiWet al. Limma Powers Differential Expression Analyses for RNA-Sequencing and Microarray Studies. Nucleic Acids Res (2015) 43(7):e47. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkv007

  • 28

    AbbasAKongXBLiuZJingBYGaoX. Automatic Peak Selection by a Benjamini-Hochberg-based Algorithm. PloS One (2013) 8(1):e53112. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053112

  • 29

    KaimalVBardesEETabarSCJeggaAGAronowBJ. ToppCluster: A Multiple Gene List Feature Analyzer for Comparative Enrichment Clustering and Network-Based Dissection of Biological Systems. Nucleic Acids Res (2010) 38(Web Server issue):W96W102. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkq418

  • 30

    CalderoneACastagnoliLCesareniG. Mentha: A Resource for Browsing Integrated Protein-Interaction Networks. Nat Methods (2013) 10(8):690–1. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.2561

  • 31

    ShannonPMarkielAOzierOBaligaNSWangJTRamageDet al. Cytoscape: A Software Environment for Integrated Models of Biomolecular Interaction Networks. Genome. Res (2003) 3(11):2498–504. doi: 10.1101/gr.1239303

  • 32

    PrzuljNWigleDAJurisicaI. Functional Topology in a Network of Protein Interactions. Bioinformatics (2004) 20(3):340–8. doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btg415

  • 33

    NguyenTPLiuWCJordánF. Inferring Pleiotropy by Network Analysis: Linked Diseases in the Human PPI Network. BMC Syst Biol (2011) 5:179. doi: 10.1186/1471-2105-12-149

  • 34

    ShiZZhangB. Fast Network Centrality Analysis Using Gpus. BMC Bioinf (2011) 12:149. doi: 10.1186/1471-2105-12-149

  • 35

    FadhalEGamieldienJMwambeneEC. Protein Interaction Networks as Metric Spaces: A Novel Perspective on Distribution of Hubs. BMC Syst Biol (2014) 8:6. doi: 10.1186/1752-0509-8-6

  • 36

    ZakiNEfimovDBerengueresJ. Protein Complex Detection Using Interaction Reliability Assessment and Weighted Clustering Coefficient. BMC. Bioinf (2013) 14:163. doi: 10.1186/1471-2105-14-163

  • 37

    FanYXiaJ. Mirnet-Functional Analysis and Visual Exploration of miRNA-Target Interactions in a Network Context. Methods Mol Biol (2018) 1819:215–33. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8618-7_10

  • 38

    ZhouGSoufanOEwaldJHancockREWBasuNXiaJ. NetworkAnalyst 3.0: A Visual Analytics Platform for Comprehensive Gene Expression Profiling and Meta-Analysis. Nucleic Acids Res (2019) 47(W1):W234–41. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkz240

  • 39

    UhlenMOksvoldPFagerbergLLundbergEJonassonKForsbergMet al. Towards a Knowledge-Based Human Protein Atlas. Nat Biotechnol (2010) 28(12):1248–50. doi: 10.1038/nbt1210-1248

  • 40

    RobinXTurckNHainardATibertiNLisacekFSanchezJCet al. pROC: An Open-Source Package for R and S+ to Analyze and Compare ROC Curves. BMC Bioinf (2011) 12:77. doi: 10.1186/1471-2105-12-77

  • 41

    LivakKJSchmittgenTD. Analysis of Relative Gene Expression Data Using Real-Time Quantitative PCR and the 2(-Delta Delta C(T)) Method. Methods (2001) 25(4):402–8. doi: 10.1006/meth.2001.1262

  • 42

    El-SaadiMWWilliams-HartTSalvatoreBAMahdavianE. Use of in-Silico Assays to Characterize the ADMET Profile and Identify Potential Therapeutic Targets of Fusarochromanone, a Novel Anti-Cancer Agent. In Silico Pharmacol (2015) 3(1):6. doi: 10.1186/s40203-015-0010-5

  • 43

    LiJMaXLiuCLiHZhuangJGaoCet al. Exploring the Mechanism of Danshen Against Myelofibrosis by Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med (2018) 2018:8363295. doi: 10.1155/2018/8363295

  • 44

    VeeramachaneniGKRajKKChalasaniLMAnnamrajuSKJsBTalluriVR. Shape Based Virtual Screening and Molecular Docking Towards Designing Novel Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitors. Bioinformation (2015) 11(12):535–42. doi: 10.6026/97320630011535

  • 45

    UrbanetRNguyen Dinh CatAFeracoAVenteclefNEl MogrhabiSSierra-RamosCet al. Adipocyte Mineralocorticoid Receptor Activation Leads to Metabolic Syndrome and Induction of Prostaglandin D2 Synthase. Hypertension (2015) 66(1):149–57. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA

  • 46

    Moreno-NavarreteJMOrtegaFSerinoMLucheEWagetAPardoGet al. Circulating Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein (LBP) as a Marker of Obesity-Related Insulin Resistance. Int J Obes (Lond) (2012) 36(11):1442–9. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2011.256

  • 47

    OberauerRRistWLenterMCHamiltonBSNeubauerH. EGFL6 is Increasingly Expressed in Human Obesity and Promotes Proliferation of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Vascular Cells. Mol Cell Biochem (2010) 343(1-2):257–69. doi: 10.1007/s11010-010-0521-7

  • 48

    ErnstMBWunderlichCMHessSPaehlerMMesarosAKoralovSBet al. Enhanced Stat3 Activation in POMC Neurons Provokes Negative Feedback Inhibition of Leptin and Insulin Signaling in Obesity. J Neurosci (2009) 29(37):11582–93. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5712-08.2009

  • 49

    ChatterjeeTKBasfordJEKnollETongWSBlancoVBlomkalnsALet al. HDAC9 Knockout Mice are Protected From Adipose Tissue Dysfunction and Systemic Metabolic Disease During High-Fat Feeding. Diabetes (2014) 63(1):176–87. doi: 10.2337/db13-1148

  • 50

    ZhaoLTricheEWWalshKMBrackenMBSaftlasAFHohJet al. Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies a Maternal Copy-Number Deletion in PSG11 Enriched Among Preeclampsia Patients. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth (2012) 12:61. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-12-61

  • 51

    LiWGengLLiuXGuiWQiH. Recombinant Adiponectin Alleviates Abortion in Mice by Regulating Th17/Treg Imbalance Via P38mapk-STAT5 Pathway. Biol Reprod (2019) 100(4):1008–17. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioy251

  • 52

    KolarGRGroteSMYostenGL. Targeting Orphan G Protein-Coupled Receptors for the Treatment of Diabetes and Its Complications: C-Peptide and GPR146. J Intern Med (2017) 281(1):2540. doi: 10.1111/joim.12528

  • 53

    DuPGaoKCaoYYangSWangYGuoRet al. RFX1 Downregulation Contributes to TLR4 Overexpression in CD14+ Monocytes Via Epigenetic Mechanisms in Coronary Artery Disease. Clin Epigenet (2019) 11(1):44. doi: 10.1186/s13148-019-0646-9

  • 54

    ErbilginASeldinMMWuXMehrabianMZhouZQiHet al. Transcription Factor Zhx2 Deficiency Reduces Atherosclerosis and Promotes Macrophage Apoptosis in Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol (2018) 38(9):2016–27. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.118.311266

  • 55

    MatsuokaHTamuraAKineharaMShimaAUdaATaharaHet al. Levels of Tight Junction Protein CLDND1 Are Regulated by microRNA-124 in the Cerebellum of Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Biochem Biophys Res Commun (2018) 498(4):817–23. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.03.063

  • 56

    O’HalloranAMPattersonCCHoranPMareeACurtinRStantonAet al. Genetic Polymorphisms in Platelet-Related Proteins and Coronary Artery Disease: Investigation of Candidate Genes, Including N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 4 (GALNT4) and Sulphotransferase 1A1/2 (SULT1A1/2). J Thromb Thrombolysis (2009) 27(2):175–84. doi: 10.1007/s11239-008-0196-z

  • 57

    DaviesGEHowardCMFarrerMJColemanMMBennettLBCullenLMet al. Genetic Variation in the COL6A1 Region is Associated With Congenital Heart Defects in Trisomy 21 (Down’s Syndrome). Ann Hum Genet (1995) 59(3):253–69. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-1809.1995.tb00746.x

  • 58

    GrossmanTRGamlielAWessellsRJTaghli-LamallemOJepsenKOcorrKet al. Over-Expression of DSCAM and COL6A2 Cooperatively Generates Congenital Heart Defects. PloS Genet (2011) 7(11):e1002344. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002344

  • 59

    RobertsAEArakiTSwansonKDMontgomeryKTSchiripoTAJoshiVAet al. Germline Gain-of-Function Mutations in SOS1 Cause Noonan Syndrome. Nat Genet (2007) 39(1):70–4. doi: 10.1038/ng1926

  • 60

    ChmielewskiSPiaszyk-BorychowskaAWesolyJBluyssenHA. STAT1 and IRF8 in Vascular Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potential. Int Rev Immunol (2016) 35(5):434–54. doi: 10.3109/08830185.2015.1087519

  • 61

    AzuajeFZhangLJeantyCPuhlSLRodiusSWagnerDR. Analysis of a Gene Co-Expression Network Establishes Robust Association Between Col5a2 and Ischemic Heart Disease. BMC Med Genomics (2013) 6:13. doi: 10.1186/1755-8794-6-13

  • 62

    YueXYangXLinXYangTYiXDaiYet al. Rnd3 Haploinsufficient Mice are Predisposed to Hemodynamic Stress and Develop Apoptotic Cardiomyopathy With Heart Failure. Cell Death Dis (2014) 5:e1284. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2014.235

  • 63

    ConnellyJJCherepanovaOADossJFKaraoliTLillardTSMarkunasCAet alEpigenetic Regulation of COL15A1 in Smooth Muscle Cell Replicative Aging and Atherosclerosis. Hum Mol Genet (2013) 22(25):5107–20. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddt365

  • 64

    KaramatFAOudmanIRis-StalpersCAfinkGBKeijserRClarkJFet alResistance Artery Creatine Kinase mRNA and Blood Pressure in Humans. Hypertension (2014) 63(1):6873. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.113.01352

  • 65

    SmithCEColtellOSorlíJVEstruchRMartínez-GonzálezSalas-SalvadóJet al. Associations of the MCM6-rs3754686 Proxy for Milk Intake in Mediterranean and American Populations With Cardiovascular Biomarkers, Disease and Mortality: Mendelian Randomization. Sci Rep (2016) 6:33188. doi: 10.1038/srep33188

  • 66

    LyuMCuiYZhaoTNingZRenJJinXet al. Tnfrsf12a-Mediated Atherosclerosis Signaling and Inflammatory Response as a Common Protection Mechanism of Shuxuening Injection Against Both Myocardial and Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injuries. Front Pharmacol (2018) 9:312. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00312

  • 67

    ShamiATengrydCAsciuttoGBengtssonENilssonJHultgårdh-NilssonAet al. Expression of Fibromodulin in Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques is Associated With Diabetes and Cerebrovascular Events. Atherosclerosis (2015) 241(2):701–8. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.06.023

  • 68

    LiWYueH. Thymidine Phosphorylase: A Potential New Target for Treating Cardiovascular Disease. Trends Cardiovasc Med (2018) 28(3):157–71. doi: 10.1016/j.tcm.2017.10.003

  • 69

    HaarhausMBrandenburgVKalantar-ZadehKStenvinkelPMagnussonP. Alkaline Phosphatase: A Novel Treatment Target for Cardiovascular Disease in CKD. Nat Rev Nephrol (2017) 13(7):429–42. doi: 10.1038/nrneph.2017.60

  • 70

    EllinghausEEllinghausDKruschePGreinerASchreiberCNikolausSet al. Genome-Wide Association Analysis for Chronic Venous Disease Identifies EFEMP1 and KCNH8 as Susceptibility Loci. Sci Rep (2017) 7:45652. doi: 10.1038/srep45652

  • 71

    Wulf-JohanssonHLock JohanssonSSchlosserATrommelholt HolmARasmussenLMMickleyHet al. Localization of Microfibrillar-Associated Protein 4 (MFAP4) in Human Tissues: Clinical Evaluation of Serum MFAP4 and its Association With Various Cardiovascular Conditions. PloS One (2013) 8(12):e82243. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082243

  • 72

    SongSEKimYWKimJYLeeDHKimJRParkSY. IGFBP5 Mediates High Glucose-Induced Cardiac Fibroblast Activation. J Mol Endocrinol (2013) 50(3):291303. doi: 10.1530/JME-12-0194

  • 73

    HugginsGSBerkowitzRIBlackburnGLBrayGACheskinLClarkJMet al. Prospective Association of GLUL Rs10911021 With Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality Among Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: The Look Ahead Study. Diabetes (2016) 65(1):297302. doi: 10.2337/db15-0890

  • 74

    KonishiHOkudaAOhnoYKiharaA. Characterization of HACD1 K64Q Mutant Found in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia Patients. J Biochem (2010) 148(5):617–22. doi: 10.1093/jb/mvq092

  • 75

    HeHWangJYanniePJKakiyamaGKorzunWJGhoshS. Sterol Carrier Protein-2 Deficiency Attenuates Diet-Induced Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerosis in Mice. J Biol Chem (2018) 293(24):9223–31. doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA118.002290

  • 76

    TianDZWeiWDongYJ. Influence of COL1A2 Gene Variants on the Incidence of Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage in a Chinese Population. Genet Mol Res (2016) 15(1). doi: 10.4238/gmr.15017369

  • 77

    SamokhinAOStephensTWertheimBMWangRSVargasSOYungLMet al. NEDD9 Targets COL3A1 to Promote Endothelial Fibrosis and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Sci Transl Med (2018) 10(445). doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aap7294

  • 78

    UsuiTOkadaMHaraYYamawakiH. Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase Regulates the Development of Hypertension Through Oxidative Stress-Dependent Vascular Inflammation. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol (2013) 305(5):H756–68. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00373.2013

  • 79

    AndraweeraPHDekkerGAThompsonSDNorthRAMcCowanLMRobertsCT. A Functional Variant in ANGPT1 and the Risk of Pregnancies With Hypertensive Disorders and Small-for-Gestational-Age Infants. Mol Hum Reprod (2012) 18(6):325–32. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gar081

  • 80

    LiXZhangXLeathersRMakinoAHuangCParsaPet al. Notch3 Signaling Promotes the Development of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Nat Med (2009) 15(11):1289–97. doi: 10.1038/nm.2021

  • 81

    ChenJZhaoXWangHChenYWangWZhouWet al. Common Variants in TGFBR2 and miR-518 Genes Are Associated With Hypertension in the Chinese Population. Am J Hypertens (2014) 27(10):1268–76. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpu047

  • 82

    ChampelovierPBesseABoucardNSimonALerouxDPinelNet al. Dag-1 Carcinoma Cell in Studying the Mechanisms of Progression and Therapeutic Resistance in Bladder Cancer. Eur Urol (2001) 39(3):343–8. doi: 10.1159/000052465

  • 83

    FlumMKleemannMSchneiderHWeisBFischerSHandrickRet al. miR-217-5p Induces Apoptosis by Directly Targeting PRKCI, Bag3, ITGAV and MAPK1 in Colorectal Cancer Cells. J Cell Commun Signal (2018) 12(2):451–66. doi: 10.1007/s12079-017-0410-x

  • 84

    BartoliniACardaciSLambaSOddoDMarchiòCCassoniPet al. BCAM and LAMA5 Mediate the Recognition Between Tumor Cells and the Endothelium in the Metastatic Spreading of KRAS-Mutant Colorectal Cancer. Clin Cancer Res (2016) 22(19):4923–33. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-15-2664

  • 85

    JunnilaSKokkolaAMizuguchiTHirataKKarjalainen-LindsbergMLPuolakkainenPet al. Gene Expression Analysis Identifies Over-Expression of CXCL1, SPARC, SPP1, and SULF1 in Gastric Cancer. Genes Chromosomes Cancer (2010) 49(1):2839. doi: 10.1002/gcc.20715

  • 86

    García-PraviaCGalvánJAGutiérrez-CorralNSolar-GarcíaLGarcía-PérezEGarcía-OcañaMet al. Overexpression of COL11A1 by Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: Clinical Relevance of a Stromal Marker in Pancreatic Cancer. PloS One (2013) 8(10):e78327. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078327

  • 87

    DuanSGongBWangPHuangHLuoLLiuF. Novel Prognostic Biomarkers of Gastric Cancer Based on Gene Expression Microarray: COL12A1, GSTA3, FGA and FGG. Mol Med Rep (2018) 18(4):3727–36. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9368

  • 88

    KamikawajiKSekiNWatanabeMMatakiHKumamotoTTakagiKet al. Regulation of LOXL2 and SERPINH1 by Antitumor microRNA-29a in Lung Cancer With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. J Hum Genet (2016) 61(12):985–93. doi: 10.1038/jhg.2016.99

  • 89

    LiuBLSunKXZongZHChenSZhaoY. MicroRNA-372 Inhibits Endometrial Carcinoma Development by Targeting the Expression of the Ras Homolog Gene Family Member C (Rhoc). Oncotarget (2016) 7(6):6649–64. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.6544

  • 90

    ShriverSPShriverMDTirpakDLBlochLMHuntJDFerrellREet al. Trinucleotide Repeat Length Variation in the Human Ribosomal Protein L14 Gene (RPL14): Localization to 3p21.3 and Loss of Heterozygosity in Lung and Oral Cancers. Mutat Res (1998) 406(1):923. doi: 10.1016/S1383-5726(98)00006-5

  • 91

    LiuJJHuangBHZhangJCarsonDDHooiSC. Repression of HIP/RPL29 Expression Induces Differentiation in Colon Cancer Cells. J Cell Physio (2006) 207(2):287–92. doi: 10.1002/jcp.20589

  • 92

    ChenDZhangRShenWFuHLiuSSunKet al. RPS12-Specific shRNA Inhibits the Proliferation, Migration of BGC823 Gastric Cancer Cells With S100A4 as a Downstream Effector. Int J Oncol (2013) 42(5):1763–9. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2013.1872

  • 93

    ZhaoXShenLFengYYuHWuXChangJet al. Decreased Expression of RPS15A Suppresses Proliferation of Lung Cancer Cells. Tumour Biol (2015) 36(9):6733–40. doi: 10.1007/s13277-015-3371-9

  • 94

    WangMHuYStearnsME. RPS2: A Novel Therapeutic Target in Prostate Cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res (2009) 28:6. doi: 10.1186/1756-9966-28-6

  • 95

    Dutton-RegesterKGartnerJJEmmanuelRQutobNDaviesMAGershenwaldJEet al. A Highly Recurrent RPS27 5’UTR Mutation in Melanoma. Oncotarget (2014) 5(10):2912–7. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.2048

  • 96

    YounHSonBKimWJunSYLeeJSLeeJMet al. Dissociation of MIF-rpS3 Complex and Sequential NF-κB Activation is Involved in IR-induced Metastatic Conversion of NSCLC. J Cell Biochem (2015) 116(11):2504–16. doi: 10.1002/jcb.25195

  • 97

    ZhuYGuJLiYPengCShiMWangXet al. MiR-17-5p Enhances Pancreatic Cancer Proliferation by Altering Cell Cycle Profiles Via Disruption of RBL2/E2F4-Repressing Complexes. Cancer Lett (2018) 412:5968. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.09.044

  • 98

    FloresILKawaharaRMiguelMCGranatoDCDominguesRRMacedoCCet al. EEF1D Modulates Proliferation and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Clin Sci (Lond) (2016) 130(10):785–99. doi: 10.1042/CS20150646

  • 99

    SvenssonRUParkerSJEichnerLJKolarMJWallaceMBrunSNet al. Inhibition of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Suppresses Fatty Acid Synthesis and Tumor Growth of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in Preclinical Models. Nat Med (2016) 22(10):1108–19. doi: 10.1038/nm.4181

  • 100

    SongBLiuXSRiceSJKuangSElzeyBDKoniecznySFet al. Plk1 Phosphorylation of Orc2 and Hbo1 Contributes to Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther (2013) 12(1):5868. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-12-0632

  • 101

    MullarkyEMattainiKRVander HeidenMGCantleyLCLocasaleJW. PHGDH Amplification and Altered Glucose Metabolism in Human Melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res (2011) 24(6):1112–5. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-148X.2011.00919.x

  • 102

    KomlósiVHitreEPapEAdleffVRétiASzékelyEet al. SHMT1 1420 and MTHFR 677 Variants Are Associated With Rectal But Not Colon Cancer. BMC Cancer (2010) 10:525. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-10-525

  • 103

    GórkaBSkubis-ZegadłoJMikulaMBardadinKPaliczkaECzarnockaB. NrCAM, a Neuronal System Cell-Adhesion Molecule, Is Induced in Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas. Br J Cancer (2007) 97(4):531–8. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603915

  • 104

    YasuokaHKodamaRTsujimotoMYoshidomeKAkamatsuHNakaharaMet al. Neuropilin-2 Expression in Breast Cancer: Correlation With Lymph Node Metastasis, Poor Prognosis, and Regulation of CXCR4 Expression. BMC Cancer (2009) 9:220. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-220

  • 105

    GongXYiJCarmonKSCrumbleyCAXiongWThomasAet al. Aberrant RSPO3-LGR4 Signaling in Keap1-deficient Lung Adenocarcinomas Promotes Tumor Aggressiveness. Oncogene (2015) 34(36):4692–701. doi: 10.1038/onc.2014.417

  • 106

    TanakaKAraoTMaegawaMMatsumotoKKanedaHKudoKet al. SRPX2 is Overexpressed in Gastric Cancer and Promotes Cellular Migration and Adhesion. Int J Cancer (2009) 124(5):1072–80. doi: 10.1002/ijc.24065

  • 107

    AbeysingheHRCaoQXuJPollockSVeybermanYGuckertNLet al. THY1 Expression is Associated With Tumor Suppression of Human Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Genet Cytogenet (2003) 143(2):125–32. doi: 10.1016/S0165-4608(02)00855-5

  • 108

    AqueaGBreskyGLancellottiDMadariagaJAZaffiriVUrzuaUet al. Increased Expression of P2RY2, CD248 and EphB1 in Gastric Cancers From Chilean Patients. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev (2014) 15(5):1931–6. doi: 10.7314/APJCP.2014.15.5.1931

  • 109

    LiuJLiuZLiuQLiLFanXWenTet al. CLEC3B is Downregulated and Inhibits Proliferation in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Oncol Rep (2018) 40(4):2023–35. doi: 10.3892/or.2018.6590

  • 110

    YanYFanQWangLZhouYLiJZhouK. LncRNA Snhg1, a Non-Degradable Sponge for miR-338, Promotes Expression of Proto-Oncogene CST3 in Primary Esophageal Cancer Cells. Oncotarget (2017) 8(22):35750–60. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.16189

  • 111

    KimHCKimYSOhHWKimKOhSSKimJTet al. Collagen Triple Helix Repeat Containing 1 (CTHRC1) Acts Via ERK-Dependent Induction of MMP9 to Promote Invasion of Colorectal Cancer Cells. Oncotarget (2014) 5(2):519–29. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.1714

  • 112

    DuanLHuXQFengDYLeiSYHuGH. GPC-1 May Serve as a Predictor of Perineural Invasion and a Prognosticator of Survival in Pancreatic Cancer. Asian J Surg (2013) 36(1):712. doi: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2012.08.001

  • 113

    HurHKimYBHamIHLeeD. Loss of ACSS2 Expression Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients With Gastric Cancer. J Surg Oncol (2015) 112(6):585–91. doi: 10.1002/jso.24043

  • 114

    SzajnikMSzczepanskiMJElishaevEVisusCLenznerDZabelMet al. 17β Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 12 (HSD17B12) is a Marker of Poor Prognosis in Ovarian Carcinoma. Gynecol Oncol (2012) 127(3):587–94. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2012.08.010

  • 115

    JiaoHKulytéANäslundEThorellAGerdhemPKereJet al. Whole-Exome Sequencing Suggests LAMB3 as a Susceptibility Gene for Morbid Obesity. Diabetes (2016) 65(10):2980–9. doi: 10.2337/db16-0522

  • 116

    MatsuoYTanakaMYamakageHSasakiYMuranakaKHataHet al. Thrombospondin 1 as a Novel Biological Marker of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolism (2015) 64(11):1490–9. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2015.07.016

  • 117

    MeissburgerBStachorskiLRöderERudofskyGWolfrumC. Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) Controls Adipogenesis in Obesity in Mice and in Humans. Diabetologia (2011) 54(6):1468–79. doi: 10.1007/s00125-011-2093-9

  • 118

    ChenJYTsaiPJTaiHCTsaiRLChangYTWangMCet al. Increased Aortic Stiffness and Attenuated Lysyl Oxidase Activity in Obesity. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol (2013) 33(4):839–46. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.112.300036

  • 119

    DerosaGFerrariID’AngeloATinelliCSalvadeoSACiccarelliLet al. Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and -9 Levels in Obese Patients. Endothelium (2008) 15(4):219–24. doi: 10.1080/10623320802228815

  • 120

    NascimentoFVPiccoliVBeerMAFrankenbergADCrispimDGerchmanF. Association of HSD11B1 Polymorphic Variants and Adipose Tissue Gene Expression With Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review. Diabetol Metab Syndr (2015) 7:38. doi: 10.1186/s13098-015-0036-1

  • 121

    AwayaTYokosakiYYamaneKUsuiHKohnoNEboshidaA. Gene-Environment Association of an ITGB2 Sequence Variant With Obesity in Ethnic Japanese. Obes (Silver Spring) (2008) 16(6):1463–6. doi: 10.1038/oby.2008.68

  • 122

    Moreno-NavarreteJMOrtegaFRodríguezALatorreJBecerrilSSabater-MasdeuMet al. HMOX1 as a Marker of Iron Excess-Induced Adipose Tissue Dysfunction, Affecting Glucose Uptake and Respiratory Capacity in Human Adipocytes. Diabetologia (2017) 60(5):915–26. doi: 10.1007/s00125-017-4228-0

  • 123

    AguerCPasquaMThrushABMoffatCMcBurneyMJardineKet al. Increased Proton Leak and SOD2 Expression in Myotubes From Obese Non-Diabetic Subjects With a Family History of Type 2 Diabetes. Biochim Biophys Acta (2013) 1832(10):1624–33. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.05.008

  • 124

    SvenssonPAGabrielssonBGJernåsMGummessonASjöholmK. Regulation of Human Aldoketoreductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) Gene Expression in the Adipose Tissue. Cell Mol Biol Lett (2008) 13(4):599613. doi: 10.2478/s11658-008-0025-6

  • 125

    ZhaoCChenXWuWWangWPangWYangG. MAT2B Promotes Adipogenesis by Modulating SAMe Levels and Activating AKT/ERK Pathway During Porcine Intramuscular Preadipocyte Differentiation. Exp Cell Res (2016) 344(1):1121. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2016.02.019

  • 126

    FarmerSR. The Forkhead Transcription Factor Foxo1: A Possible Link Between Obesity and Insulin Resistance. Mol Cell (2003) 11(1):68. doi: 10.1016/S1097-2765(03)00003-0

  • 127

    BoalFRoumegouxJAlfaranoCTimotinACaliseDAnesiaRet al. Apelin Regulates FoxO3 Translocation to Mediate Cardioprotective Responses to Myocardial Injury and Obesity. Sci Rep (2015) 5:16104. doi: 10.1038/srep16104

  • 128

    ZillikensMCMeursJBRivadeneiraFAminNHofmanAOostraBAet al. SIRT1 Genetic Variation is Related to BMI and Risk of Obesity. Diabetes (2009) 58(12):2828–34. doi: 10.2337/db09-0536

  • 129

    RianchoJAVázquezLGarcía-PérezMASainzJOlmosJMHernándezJLet al. Association of ACACB Polymorphisms With Obesity and Diabetes. Mol Genet Metab (2011) 104(4):670–6. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2011.08.013

  • 130

    PangLYouLJiCShiCChenLYangLet al. miR-1275 Inhibits Adipogenesis Via ELK1 and Its Expression Decreases in Obese Subjects. J Mol Endocrinol (2016) 57(1):3343. doi: 10.1530/JME-16-0007

  • 131

    HaimYBlüherMKonradDGoldsteinNKlötingNHarman-BoehmIet al. ASK1 (MAP3K5) is Transcriptionally Upregulated by E2F1 in Adipose Tissue in Obesity, Molecularly Defining a Human Dys-Metabolic Obese Phenotype. Mol Metab (2017) 6(7):725–36. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2017.05.003

  • 132

    CaiJShiXWangHFanJFengYLinXet al. Cystathionine γ Lyase-Hydrogen Sulfide Increases Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Activity by Sulfhydration at C139 Site Thereby Promoting Glucose Uptake and Lipid Storage in Adipocytes. Biochim Biophys Acta (2016) 1861(5):419–29. doi: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2016.03.001

  • 133

    RoudierEChapadosNDecarySGinesteCLe BelCLavoieJMet al. Angiomotin p80/p130 Ratio: A New Indicator of Exercise-Induced Angiogenic Activity in Skeletal Muscles From Obese and Non-Obese Rats? J Physiol (2009) 587(Pt 16):4105–19. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.175554

  • 134

    GrillJINeumannJHerbstAOfnerAHiltweinFMarschallMKet al. Loss of DRO1/CCDC80 Results in Obesity and Promotes Adipocyte Differentiation. Mol Cell Endocrinol (2017) 439:286–96. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.09.014

  • 135

    HerderCHaunerHKempfKKolbHSkurkT. Constitutive and Regulated Expression and Secretion of Interferon-Gamma-Inducible Protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10) in Human Adipocytes. Int J Obes (Lond) (2007) 31(3):403–10. doi: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0803432

  • 136

    MousaUOnurHUtkanG. Is Obesity Always a Risk Factor for All Breast Cancer Patients? c-erbB2 Expression is Significantly Lower in Obese Patients With Early Stage Breast Cancer. Clin Transl Oncol (2012) 14(12):923–30. doi: 10.1007/s12094-012-0878-z

  • 137

    WangCHaXLiWXuPGuYWangTet al. Correlation of A2bAR and KLF4/KLF15 With Obesity-Dyslipidemia Induced Inflammation in Uygur Population. Mediators Inflammation (2016) 2016:7015620. doi: 10.1155/2016/7015620

  • 138

    MammèsOBetoulleDAubertRGiraudVTuzetSPetietAet al. Novel Polymorphisms in the 5’ Region of the LEP Gene: Association With Leptin Levels and Response to Low-Calorie Diet in Human Obesity. Diabetes (1998) 47(3):487–9. doi: 10.2337/diabetes.47.3.487

  • 139

    Khalifeh-SoltaniAMcKleroyWSakumaSCheungYYTharpKQiuYet al. Mfge8 Promotes Obesity by Mediating the Uptake of Dietary Fats and Serum Fatty Acids. Nat Med (2014) 20(2):175–83. doi: 10.1038/nm.3450

  • 140

    LimRLappasM. Slit2 Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Actions in Human Placenta and is Decreased With Maternal Obesity. Am J Reprod Immunol (2015) 73(1):6678. doi: 10.1111/aji.12334

  • 141

    SaikiAOlssonMJernåsMGummessonAMcTernanPGAnderssonJet al. Tenomodulin is Highly Expressed in Adipose Tissue, Increased in Obesity, and Down-Regulated During Diet-Induced Weight Loss. J Clin Endocrinol Metab (2009) 94(10):3987–94. doi: 10.1210/jc.2009-0292

  • 142

    BautersDSpincemaillePGeysLCassimanDVermeerschPBedossaPet al. ADAMTS5 Deficiency Protects Against Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Obesity. Liver Int (2016) 36(12):1848–59. doi: 10.1111/liv.13181

  • 143

    Martinez-SantibanezGSingerKChoKWDelPropostoJLMergianTLumengCN. Obesity-Induced Remodeling of the Adipose Tissue Elastin Network is Independent of the Metalloelastase MMP-12. Adipocyte (2015) 4(4):264–72. doi: 10.1080/21623945.2015.1027848

  • 144

    TiadenANBahrenbergGMirsaidiAGlanzSBlüherMRichardsPJ. Novel Function of Serine Protease HTRA1 in Inhibiting Adipogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Via MAP Kinase-Mediated MMP Upregulation. Stem Cells (2016) 34(6):1601–14. doi: 10.1002/stem.2297

  • 145

    WolffGTarankoAEMelnIWeinmannJSijmonsmaTLerchSet al. Diet-Dependent Function of the Extracellular Matrix Proteoglycan Lumican in Obesity and Glucose Homeostasis. Mol Meta (2019) 19:97106. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2018.10.007

  • 146

    VaittinenMKolehmainenMRydénMEskelinenMWabitschMPihlajamäkiJet al. MFAP5 is Related to Obesity-Associated Adipose Tissue and Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Inflammation. Obes (Silver Spring) (2015) 23(7):1371–8. doi: 10.1002/oby.21103

  • 147

    SommECettour-RosePAsensioCCharollaisAKleinMTheander-CarrilloCet al. Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist is Upregulated During Diet-Induced Obesity and Regulates Insulin Sensitivity in Rodents. Diabetologia (2006) 49(2):387–93. doi: 10.1007/s00125-005-0046-x

  • 148

    ZhangDChristiansonJLiuZXTianLChoiCSNeschenSet al. Resistance to High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mice With Very Long-Chain acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency. Cell Metab (2010) 11(5):402–11. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2010.03.012

  • 149

    GiacchettiGFaloiaESarduCCamilloniMAMarinielloBGattiCet al. Gene Expression of Angiotensinogen in Adipose Tissue of Obese Patients. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord (2000) 24 Suppl 2:S142–3. doi: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0801305

  • 150

    DumontJGoumidiLGrenier-BoleyBCottelDMarécauxNMontayeMet al. Dietary Linoleic Acid Interacts With FADS1 Genetic Variability to Modulate HDL-cholesterol and Obesity-Related Traits. Clin Nutr (2018) 37(5):1683–9. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.07.012

  • 151

    WanZFrierBCWilliamsDBWrightDC. Epinephrine Induces PDK4 mRNA Expression in Adipose Tissue From Obese, Insulin Resistant Rats. Obes (Silver Spring) (2012) 20(2):453–6. doi: 10.1038/oby.2011.252

  • 152

    MilagroFIGómez-AbellánPCampiónJMartínezJAOrdovásJMGarauletM. Clock, PER2 and BMAL1 DNA Methylation: Association With Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome Characteristics and Monounsaturated Fat Intake. Chronobiol Int (2012) 29(9):1180–94. doi: 10.3109/07420528.2012.719967

  • 153

    CaimariAOliverPRodenburgWKeijerJPalouA. Slc27a2 Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells as a Molecular Marker for Overweight Development. Int J Obes (Lond) (2010) 34(5):831–9. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2010.17

  • 154

    UchidaTNakamuraTHashimotoNMatsudaTKotaniKSakaueHet al. Deletion of Cdkn1b Ameliorates Hyperglycemia by Maintaining Compensatory Hyperinsulinemia in Diabetic Mice. Nat Med (2005) 11(2):175–82. doi: 10.1038/nm1187

  • 155

    KimDKimJYoonJHGhimJYeaKSongPet al. CXCL12 Secreted From Adipose Tissue Recruits Macrophages and Induces Insulin Resistance in Mice. Diabetologia (2014) 57(7):1456–65. doi: 10.1007/s00125-014-3237-5

  • 156

    LuSPurohitSSharmaAZhiWHeMWangYet al. Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 6 (IGFBP6) is Increased in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes and Its Complications. Int J Clin Exp Med (2012) 5(3):229–37.

  • 157

    MatsuzakaTShimanoHYahagiNKatoTAtsumiAYamamotoTet al. Crucial Role of a Long-Chain Fatty Acid Elongase, Elovl6, in Obesity-Induced Insulin Resistance. Nat Med (2007) 13(10):1193–202. doi: 10.1038/nm1662

  • 158

    OguriMKatoKYokoiKWatanabeSMetokiNYoshidaHet al. Association of Polymorphisms of THBS2 and HSPA8 With Hypertension in Japanese Individuals With Chronic Kidney Disease. Mol Med Rep (2009) 2(2):205–11. doi: 10.3892/mmr_00000085

  • 159

    KaramatFAOudmanIRis-StalpersCAfinkGBKeijserRClarkJFet al. Resistance Artery Creatine Kinase mRNA and Blood Pressure in Humans. Hypertension (2014) 63(1):6873. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.113.01352

  • 160

    XiangRFanLLHuangHChenYQHeWGuoSet al. Increased Reticulon 3 (Rtn3) Leads to Obesity and Hypertriglyceridemia by Interacting With Heat Shock Protein Family A (Hsp70) Member 5 (HSPA5). Circulation (2018) 138(17):1828–38. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.030718

  • 161

    CapobiancoVNardelliCFerrignoMIaffaldanoLPiloneVForestieriPet al. miRNA and Protein Expression Profiles of Visceral Adipose Tissue Reveal miR-141/YWHAG and miR-520e/RAB11A as Two Potential miRNA/protein Target Pairs Associated With Severe Obesity. J Proteome Res (2012) 11(6):3358–69. doi: 10.1021/pr300152z

  • 162

    LiouTHChenHHWangWWuSFLeeYCYangWSet alESR1, FTO, and UCP2 Genes Interact With Bariatric Surgery Affecting Weight Loss and Glycemic Control in Severely Obese Patients. Obes Surg (2011) 21(11):1758–65. doi: 10.1007/s11695-011-0457-3

  • 163

    PalABarberTMBuntMRudgeSAZhangQLachlanKLet al. PTEN Mutations as a Cause of Constitutive Insulin Sensitivity and Obesity. N Engl J Med (2012) 367(11):1002–11. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1113966

  • 164

    AhmadRShihabPKThomasRAlghanimMHasanASindhuSet al. Increased Expression of the Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase (IRAK)-1 is Associated With Adipose Tissue Inflammatory State in Obesity. Diabetol Metab Syndr (2015) 7:71. doi: 10.1186/s13098-015-0067-7

  • 165

    BouchardLTchernofADeshaiesYLebelSHouldFSMarceauPet al. CYR61 Polymorphisms Are Associated With Plasma HDL-cholesterol Levels in Obese Individuals. Clin Genet (2007) 72(3):224–9. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2007.00855.x

  • 166

    BendlováBVaňkováMHillMVacínováGLukášováPVejraŽkováDet al. ZBTB16 Gene Variability Influences Obesity-Related Parameters and Serum Lipid Levels in Czech Adults. Physiol Res 66(Supplementum (2017) 3):S425–31. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.933731

  • 167

    HinrichsenIErnstBPNuberFPassmannSSchäferDSteinkeVet al. Reduced Migration of MLH1 Deficient Colon Cancer Cells Depends on SPTAN1. Mol Cancer (2014) 13:11. doi: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-11

  • 168

    WhitelandHSpencer-HartySMorganCKynastonHThomasDHBosePet al. A Role for STEAP2 in Prostate Cancer Progression. Clin Exp Metastasis (2014) 31(8):909–20. doi: 10.1007/s10585-014-9679-9

  • 169

    CaoXXiaYYangJJiangJChenLNiRet al. Clinical and Biological Significance of Never in Mitosis Gene A-Related Kinase 6 (NEK6) Expression in Hepatic Cell Cancer. Pathol Oncol Res (2012) 18(2):201–7. doi: 10.1007/s12253-011-9429-0

  • 170

    ZecchiniVMadhuBRussellRPértega-GomesNWarrenAGaudeEet al. Nuclear ARRB1 Induces Pseudohypoxia and Cellular Metabolism Reprogramming in Prostate Cancer. EMBO J (2014) Jun 1733(12):1365–82. doi: 10.15252/embj.201386874

  • 171

    XueJChiYChenYHuangSYeXNiuJet al. MiRNA-621 Sensitizes Breast Cancer to Chemotherapy by Suppressing FBXO11 and Enhancing p53 Activity. Oncogene (2016) 35(4):448–58. doi: 10.1038/onc.2015.96

  • 172

    MaoJLiangZZhangBYangHLiXFuHet al. Ubr2 Enriched in P53 Deficient Mouse Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Exosome Promoted Gastric Cancer Progression Via Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway. Stem Cells (2017) 35(11):2267–79. doi: 10.1002/stem.2702

  • 173

    PengHIshidaMLiLSaitoAKamiyaAHamiltonJPet al. Pseudogene INTS6P1 Regulates Its Cognate Gene INTS6 Through Competitive Binding of miR-17-5p in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Oncotarget (2015) 6(8):5666–77. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.3290

  • 174

    LiouTHChenHHWangWWuSFLeeYCYangWSet al. Esr1, FTO, and UCP2 Genes Interact With Bariatric Surgery Affecting Weight Loss and Glycemic Control in Severely Obese Patients. Obes Surg (2011) 21(11):1758–65. doi: 10.1007/s11695-011-0457-3

  • 175

    MaSGuanXYBehPSWongKYChanYPYuenHFet al. The Significance of LMO2 Expression in the Progression of Prostate Cancer. J Pathol (2007) 211(3):278–85. doi: 10.1002/path.2109

  • 176

    WangCCLiauJYLuYSChenJWYaoYTLienHC. Differential Expression of Moesin in Breast Cancers and Its Implication in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Histopathology (2012) 61(1):7887. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2012.04204.x

  • 177

    YoshinoHChiyomaruTEnokidaHKawakamiKTataranoSNishiyamaKet al. The Tumour-Suppressive Function of miR-1 and miR-133a Targeting TAGLN2 in Bladder Cancer. Br J Cancer (2011) 104(5):808–18. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2011.23

  • 178

    GautreyHJacksonCDittrichALBrowellDLennardTTyson-CapperA. SRSF3 and Hnrnp H1 Regulate a Splicing Hotspot of HER2 in Breast Cancer Cells. RNA Biol (2015) 12(10):1139–51. doi: 10.1080/15476286.2015.1076610

  • 179

    Hammerich-HilleSBardoutVJHilsenbeckSGOsborneCKOesterreichS. Low SAFB Levels Are Associated With Worse Outcome in Breast Cancer Patients. Breast Cancer Res Treat (2010) 121(2):503–9. doi: 10.1007/s10549-008-0297-6

  • 180

    Ellison-ZelskiSJAlaridET. Maximum Growth and Survival of Estrogen Receptor-Alpha Positive Breast Cancer Cells Requires the Sin3A Transcriptional Repressor. Mol Cancer (2010) 9:263. doi: 10.1186/1476-4598-9-263

  • 181

    TsaiWWWangZYiuTTAkdemirKCXiaWWinterSet al. TRIM24 Links a non-Canonical Histone Signature to Breast Cancer. Nature (2010) 468(7326):927–32. doi: 10.1038/nature09542

  • 182

    HanYRuGQMouXWangHJMaYHeXLet al. AUTS2 is a Potential Therapeutic Target for Pancreatic Cancer Patients With Liver Metastases. Med Hypotheses (2015) 85(2):203–6. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2015.04.029

  • 183

    SaxenaRBjonnesAPrescottJDibPNattPLaneJet al. Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Variants in Casein Kinase II (CSNK2A2) to be Associated With Leukocyte Telomere Length in a Punjabi Sikh Diabetic Cohort. Circ Cardiovasc Genet (2014) 7(3):287–95. doi: 10.1161/CIRCGENETICS.113.000412

  • 184

    ThunGAImbodenMBergerWRochatTProbst-HenschNM. The Association of a Variant in the Cell Cycle Control Gene CCND1 and Obesity on the Development of Asthma in the Swiss SAPALDIA Study. J Asthma. (2013) 50(2):147–54. doi: 10.3109/02770903.2012.757776

  • 185

    ChielliniCBertaccaANovelliSEGörgünCZCiccaroneAGiordanoAet al. Obesity Modulates the Expression of Haptoglobin in the White Adipose Tissue Via TNFalpha. J Cell Physiol (2002) 190(2):251–8. doi: 10.1002/jcp.10061

  • 186

    YaghootkarHStancákováAFreathyRMVangipurapuJWeedonMNXieWet al. Association Analysis of 29,956 Individuals Confirms That a Low-Frequency Variant at CCND2 Halves the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes by Enhancing Insulin Secretion. Diabetes (2015) 64(6):2279–85. doi: 10.2337/db14-1456

  • 187

    ChutkowWABirkenfeldALBrownJDLeeHYFrederickDWYoshiokaJet al. Deletion of the Alpha-Arrestin Protein Txnip in Mice Promotes Adiposity and Adipogenesis While Preserving Insulin Sensitivity. Diabetes (2010) 59(6):1424–34. doi: 10.2337/db09-1212

  • 188

    KimSHongJWParkKW. B Cell Translocation Gene 2 (Btg2) is Regulated by Stat3 Signaling and Inhibits Adipocyte Differentiation. Mol Cell Biochem (2016) 413(1-2):145–53. doi: 10.1007/s11010-015-2648-z

  • 189

    LeeMFPanMHChiouYSChengACHuangH. Resveratrol Modulates MED28 (Magicin/Eg-1) Expression and Inhibits Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)-Induced Migration in MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cells. J Agric Food Chem (2011) 59(21):11853–61. doi: 10.1021/jf202426k

  • 190

    NakamuraRKataokaHSatoNKanamoriMIharaMIgarashiHet al. EPHA2/EFNA1 Expression in Human Gastric Cancer. Cancer Sci (2005) 96(1):42–7. doi: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2005.00007.x

Summary

Keywords

adiposities, obesity, differentially expressed genes, modules, protein–protein interaction network

Citation

Joshi H, Vastrad B, Joshi N, Vastrad C, Tengli A and Kotturshetti I (2021) Identification of Key Pathways and Genes in Obesity Using Bioinformatics Analysis and Molecular Docking Studies. Front. Endocrinol. 12:628907. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.628907

Received

13 November 2020

Accepted

19 May 2021

Published

24 June 2021

Volume

12 - 2021

Edited by

Stephen Atkin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Bahrain

Reviewed by

Weidong Zhao, Dali University, China; Jinhui Liu, Nanjing Medical University, China

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Chanabasayya Vastrad,

†ORCID: Harish Joshi, orcid.org/0000-0002-3817-5194; Basavaraj Vastrad, orcid.org/0000-0003-2202-7637; Nidhi Joshi, orcid.org/0000-0001-8067-3448; Chanabasayya Vastrad, orcid.org/0000-0003-3615-4450; Anandkumar Tengli, orcid.org/0000-0001-8076-928X; Iranna Kotturshetti, orcid.org/0000-0003-1988-7345

This article was submitted to Systems Endocrinology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology

Disclaimer

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Outline

Figures

Cite article

Copy to clipboard


Export citation file


Share article

Article metrics