Journal of Forensic Medicine ›› 2022, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (4): 443-451.DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2022.420509

• Original Article •     Next Articles

Screening Biomarkers of Sudden Coronary Death Based on mRNA Expression Profile of Rat Myocardial Tissues

Xiang-jie GUO(), Hao LI, Ya-qin BAI, Peng WU, Chun-mei ZHAO, Yi-ming DONG, Nian-nian CHEN, Ke-ming YUN, Cai-rong GAO()   

  1. School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong 030600, Shanxi Province, China
  • Received:2022-05-18 Online:2022-08-25 Published:2022-08-28
  • Contact: Cai-rong GAO

Abstract:

Objective To explore the differential expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) in myocardial tissues of rats with sudden coronary death (SCD), and to provide ideas for the forensic identification of SCD. Methods The rat SCD model was established, and the transcriptome sequencing was performed by next-generation sequencing technology. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in myocardial tissues of SCD rats were screened by using the R package limma. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by using the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.8.2 on DEG, and hub genes were screened based on cytoHubba plug-in. Finally, the R package clusterProfiler was used to analyze the biological function and signal pathway enrichment of the selected DEG. Results A total of 177 DEGs were associated with SCD and were mainly involved in the renin-angiotensin system and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The genes including angiotensinogen (AGT), complement component 4a (C4a), Fos proto-oncogene (FOS) and others played key roles in the development of SCD. Conclusion Genes such as AGT, C4a, FOS and other genes are expected to be potential biomarkers for forensic identification of SCD. The study based on mRNA expression profile can provide a reference for forensic identification of SCD.

Key words: forensic pathology, sudden coronary death, messenger RNA (mRNA), differentially expressed gene, biomarker, myocardial ischemia, cause of death, rats

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