Multi-regional Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease: Meta-analysis and data integration of transcriptomics data

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease with various deleterious perturbations in regulatory pathways of various brain regions. Thus, it would be critical to understanding the role of different regions of the brain in initiation and progression of AD, However, owing to complex and multifactorial nature of this disease, the molecular mechanism of AD has yet to be fully elucidated. To confront with this challenge, we launched a meta-analytical study of current transcriptomics data in four different regions of the brain in AD (Entorhinal, Hippocampus, Temporal and Frontal) with systems analysis of identifying involved signaling and metabolic pathways. We found different regulatory patterns in Entorhinal and Hippocampus regions to be associated with progression of AD. We also identified shared versus unique biological pathways and critical proteins among different brain regions. ACACB, GAPDH, ACLY, and EGFR were the most important proteins in Entorhinal, Frontal, Hippocampus and Temporal regions, respectively. Moreover, eight proteins including CDK5, ATP5G1, DNM1, GNG3, AP2M1, ALDOA, GPI, and TPI1 were differentially expressed in all four brain regions, among which, CDK5 and ATP5G1 were enriched in KEGG Alzheimer’s disease pathway as well.