Integrated network analysis to explore the key genes regulated by parathyroid hormone receptor 1 in osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND As an invasive malignant tumor, osteosarcoma (OS) has high mortality. Parathyroid hormone receptor 1 (PTHR1) contributes to maintaining proliferation and undifferentiated state of OS. This study is designed to reveal the action mechanisms of PTHR1 in OS. METHODS Microarray dataset GSE46861, which included six PTHR1 knockdown OS samples and six control OS samples, was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and then performed with enrichment analysis separately using the limma package and DAVID online tool. Then, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and module analyses were conducted using Cytoscape software. Using the WebGestalt tool, microRNAs (miRNAs) were predicted for the DEGs involved in the PPI network. Following this, transcription factors (TFs) were predicted and an integrated network was constructed by Cytoscape software. RESULTS There were 871 DEGs in the PTHR1 knockdown OS samples compared with the control OS samples. Besides, upregulated ZFPM2 was involved in the miRNA-DEG regulatory network. Moreover, TF LEF1 was predicted for the miRNA-DEG regulatory network of the downregulated genes. In addition, LEF1, NR4A2, HAS2, and RHOC had higher degrees in the integrated network. CONCLUSIONS ZFPM2, LEF1, NR4A2, HAS2, and RHOC might be potential targets of PTHR1 in OS.