Analysis of differentially expressed genes based on microarray data of glioma

Glioma represents one of the main causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Unfortunately, its exact molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood, which limits the prognosis and therapy. This study aimed to identify the critical genes, transcription factors and the possible biochemical pathways that may affect glioma progression at transcription level. After downloading micro-array data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between glioma and normal samples were screened. We predicted novel glioma-related genes and carried on online software DAVID to conduct GO enrichment and transcription factor analysis of these selected genes. String software was applied to construct a PPI protein interaction network, as well as to find the key genes and transcription factors in the regulation of glioma. A total of 97 DEGs were identified associated with cancer, the GO enrichment analysis indicated these DEGs were mainly relevant to immune responses as well as regulation of cell growth. In addition, the transcription factor analysis showed these DEGs were regulated by the binding sites of transcription factors GLI2, SP1, SMAD7, SMAD3, RELA, STAT5B, CTNNB1, STAT5A, TFAP2A and SP3. PPI protein interaction network analysis demonstrated the hub nodes in the interaction network were EGFR, TGFB1, FN1 and MYC. The hub DEGs may be the most critical in glioma and could be considered as drug targets for glioma therapy after further exploration. Besides, with the identification of regulating transcription factors, the pathogenesis of glioma at transcription level might be brought to light.