Polycystic οvary syndrome revisited: An interactions network approach

Abstract

Background: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has genetic, epigenetic, metabolic and reproductive aspects, while its complex pathophysiology has not been conclusively deciphered.

Aim: The goal of this research was to screen the gene/gene products associated with PCOS and to predict any possible interactions with the highest possible fidelity.

Materials and methods: STRING v10.5 database and a confidence level of 0.7 were used.

Results: A highly interconnected network of 48 nodes was created, where insulin (INS) appears to be the major hub. INS upstream and downstream defects were analysed and revealed that only the kisspeptin- and glucagon-coding genes were upstream of INS.

Conclusion: A metabolic dominance was inferred and discussed herein with its implications in puberty, obesity, infertility and cardiovascular function. This study, thus, may contribute to the resolution of a scientific conflict between the USA and EU definitions of the syndrome and/or provide a new P4 medicine approach.

Keywords: P4 medicine; insulin; interactome; polycystic ovary syndrome; systems medicine; thermoregulation.