Gene sequence analysis and screening of feature genes in spinal cord injury

The aim of the present study was to screen for feature genes associated with spinal cord injury (SCI), in order to identify the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Differentially expressed genes were screened for using pre‑processing data. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis was performed to analyze and identify the genes involved in pathways associated with SCI. Subsequently, Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and Uniprot tissue analysis were used to screen out genes specifically expressed in spinal cord tissue. In addition, a protein‑protein interaction network was used to demonstrate possible associations among SCI‑associated feature genes. Finally, a link was identified between feature genes and SCI by analyzing protein domains in coding areas of the three feature genes. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit Va, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase, H+ transporting, mitochondrial F1 complex, α subunit 1 and cardiac muscle and mitochondrial β‑F1‑ATPase may be downregulated in SCI, resulting in destruction of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and membrane‑bound enzyme complexes/ion transporters, thus, affecting the normal function of nerves. The three screened feature genes have the potential to become candidate target molecules to monitor, diagnose and treat SCI and may be beneficial for the early diagnosis and therapeutic control of the condition.