Identification and Transcriptomic Analysis of Mitochondria-Related Gene Signatures in Obesity

Area of Science:

• Genomics and Bioinformatics
• Metabolomics
• Immunology

Background:

• Obesity is linked to complex transcriptomic alterations.
• Mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular metabolism and energy production.
• Identifying specific gene signatures can aid in understanding obesity pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify core mitochondria-related genes (MRGs) associated with obesity.
• To evaluate these MRGs as potential computational biomarkers.
• To explore their immune characteristics, regulatory mechanisms, and therapeutic relevance.

Main Methods:

• Differential gene expression analysis on obesity transcriptomic datasets.
• Intersection of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with MRGs.
• Bioinformatic analyses including PPI, LASSO, random forest, ROC, and immune infiltration analysis.
• Molecular docking for drug-target interaction prediction.

Main Results:

• 15 differentially expressed MRGs were identified, linked to disrupted mitochondrial metabolism and lipid remodeling.
• ECHDC2, FASN, NAT8L, and AASS were identified as core MRGs, downregulated in obesity.
• These core MRGs demonstrated diagnostic potential and correlated with altered immune cell infiltration.
• Genistein showed favorable binding affinity with NAT8L.

Conclusions:

• ECHDC2, FASN, NAT8L, and AASS are promising candidate computational biomarkers for obesity.
• FASN's known role in lipid metabolism supports the findings.
• These genes offer insights into obesity-related metabolic and immune dysregulation.