Integrated bioinformatics analysis reveals novel key biomarkers and potential candidate small molecule drugs in gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the metabolic diseases during pregnancy. The identification of the central molecular mechanisms liable for the disease pathogenesis might lead to the advancement of new therapeutic options. The current investigation aimed to identify central differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GDM. The transcription profiling by array data (E-MTAB-6418) was obtained from the ArrayExpress database. The DEGs between GDM samples and non GDM samples were analyzed with limma package. Gene ontology (GO) and REACTOME enrichment analysis were performed using ToppGene. Then we constructed the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs by the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes database (STRING) and module analysis was performed. Subsequently, we constructed the miRNA-hub gene network and TF-hub gene regulatory network by the miRNet database and NetworkAnalyst database. The validation of hub genes was performed through receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Finally, the candidate small molecules as potential drugs to treat GDM were predicted by using molecular docking. Through transcription profiling by array data, a total of 869 DEGs were detected including 439 up regulated and 430 down regulated genes. Biological process analysis of GO enrichment analysis showed these DEGs were mainly enriched in reproduction, nuclear outer membrane-endoplasmic reticulum membrane network, identical protein binding, cell adhesion, supramolecular complex and signaling receptor binding. Signaling pathway enrichment analysis indicated that these DEGs played a vital in cell surface interactions at the vascular wall and extracellular matrix organization. Ten genes, HSP90AA1, EGFR, RPS13, RBX1, PAK1, FYN, ABL1, SMAD3, STAT3, and PRKCA in the center of the PPI network, modules, miRNA-hub gene regulatory network and TF-hub gene regulatory network were associated with GDM, according to ROC analysis. Finally, the most significant small molecules were predicted based on molecular docking. Our results indicated that HSP90AA1, EGFR, RPS13, RBX1, PAK1, FYN, ABL1, SMAD3, STAT3, and PRKCA could be the potential novel biomarkers for GDM diagnosis, prognosis and the promising therapeutic targets. The current might be essential to understanding the molecular mechanism of GDM initiation and development.