Identification of Hub Genes and Biomarkers between Hyperandrogen and Normoandrogen Polycystic Ovary Syndrome by Bioinformatics Analysis

Background: The common and divergent genetic mechanisms of hyperandrogen (HA) and normoandrogen (NA) polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are currently unknown. Objective: This study aimed to explore the hub genes and potential mechanisms of HA and NA PCOS through bioinformatics analysis. Methods: The GSE137684 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The co-expressed genes and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HA and NA PCOS samples were functionally annotated by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the DEGs was constructed and visualized using STRING and Cytoscape, respectively, and the hub genes were screened using the Cytohubba plug-in. The transcription factors (TFs) of these hub genes were identified with the JASPAR database, and the hub gene-TF regulatory network was constructed. Results: A total of 327 DEGs, including 191 upregulated and 136 downregulated genes, were identified in HA PCOS relative to NA PCOS. Ten hub genes were screened, of which MYC, CAV1, and HGF were mainly enriched in the Proteoglycans in the cancer pathway. In addition, 47 TFs were identified that were found to be involved in the regulation of hub genes. Conclusion: MYC, CAV1, and HGF are potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HA PCOS.