Integrated Bioinformatics and Experimental Validation of Post-Translational Modification-Related Biomarkers in...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) lacks established post-translational modification (PTM)-associated biomarkers.
• Identifying novel biomarkers is crucial for understanding MIRI pathogenesis and improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and validate PTM-related biomarkers for MIRI using integrated bioinformatics and in vitro experiments.
• To explore the potential diagnostic and pathogenetic roles of candidate genes in MIRI.

Main Methods:

• Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on RNA-sequencing data to identify MIRI-associated gene modules.
• Intersection analysis of gene modules, differentially expressed genes, and PTM-related gene sets.
• Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for diagnostic potential and hypoxia/reoxygenation assays in H9C2 cardiomyocytes.

Main Results:

• A brown gene module strongly correlated with the MIRI phenotype was identified.
• Two core candidate genes, Myc and Rnf115, were selected based on integrated analyses.
• Myc and Rnf115 demonstrated high diagnostic potential and were upregulated during early MIRI in vitro.
• These genes showed positive correlations with immune cell infiltration, suggesting immune modulation roles.

Conclusions:

• Myc and Rnf115 are identified as promising PTM-associated biomarkers for MIRI.
• These biomarkers may be involved in the pathogenesis of MIRI, particularly in immune responses.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate their precise mechanisms in MIRI.