Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Using an Automated Cell Counter to Simplify Gene Expression Studies: siRNA Knockdown of IL-4 Dependent Gene Expression in Namalwa Cells
Published on: April 14, 2010
Identification of key target genes and biological pathways in multiple sclerosis brains using microarray data
Weipeng Zheng1, Yimin Chen2, Haoyi Chen1
1a Department of Orthopedics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital , Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou , People's Republic of China.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to investigate critical genes in multiple sclerosis (MS) using microarray data from brain tissue in MS.
Materials:
The expression profile data set of MS (GSE38010) downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database contained gene information from five plaque tissues from MS brains and two white matter tissues from healthy controls. An R package was applied to process these raw chip data. Gene Ontology (GO) functional analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were performed to investigate interactions between differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in MS brain tissues.
Results:
This study identified a total of 1065 DEGs, including 530 up-regulated genes and 535 down-regulated genes, in MS brain tissue samples compared to those in normal white matter tissue samples. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses showed that the up-regulated DEGs were mainly related to neuron development, neuron projection morphogenesis and neuron differentiation. Furthermore, the down-regulated DEGs were largely related to axon ensheathment, ensheathment of neurons and nervous system development. Seven key genes were found as hub genes in the maintenance of the PPI network.
Conclusion:
Several key target genes and their GO and KEGG pathway enrichment identified in the present study may serve as feasible targets for MS therapies.
Related Concept Videos
What is Gene Expression?
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
What is Gene Expression?
Cell Specific Gene Expression
Cell Specific Gene Expression
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

