Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Published on: February 16, 2011
Using literature-based discovery to identify candidate genes for the interaction between myocardial infarction and
Zhenguo Dai1,2, Qian Li3, Guang Yang1,2
1Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China.
Background:
A multidirectional relationship has been demonstrated between myocardial infarction (MI) and depression. However, the causal genetic factors and molecular mechanisms underlying this interaction remain unclear. The main purpose of this study was to identify potential candidate genes for the interaction between the two diseases.
Methods:
Using a bioinformatics approach and existing gene expression data in the biomedical discovery support system (BITOLA), we defined the starting concept X as "Myocardial Infarction" and end concept Z as "Major Depressive Disorder" or "Depressive disorder". All intermediate concepts relevant to the "Gene or Gene Product" for MI and depression were searched. Gene expression data and tissue-specific expression of potential candidate genes were evaluated using the Human eFP (electronic Fluorescent Pictograph) Browser, and intermediate concepts were filtered by manual inspection.
Results:
Our analysis identified 128 genes common to both the "MI" and "depression" text mining concepts. Twenty-three of the 128 genes were selected as intermediates for this study, 9 of which passed the manual filtering step. Among the 9 genes, LCAT, CD4, SERPINA1, IL6, and PPBP failed to pass the follow-up filter in the Human eFP Browser, due to their low levels in the heart tissue. Finally, four genes (GNB3, CNR1, MTHFR, and NCAM1) remained.
Conclusions:
GNB3, CNR1, MTHFR, and NCAM1 are putative new candidate genes that may influence the interactions between MI and depression, and may represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Related Concept Videos
Gene-Environment Interactions
Long-term Depression
Long-term Depression
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
Freezing Point Depression and Boiling Point Elevation
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to ambient atmospheric pressure. Since the vapor pressure of a solution is lowered due to the presence of nonvolatile solutes, it stands to reason that the solution’s boiling point will subsequently be increased. Vapor pressure increases with temperature, and so a solution will require a higher temperature than will pure solvent to achieve any given vapor pressure, including one...
Depressants
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Depression: Overview

