Research Information System
CUKUROVA MEDICAL JOURNAL, vol.49, no.1, pp.170-180, 2024 (ESCI)
Purpose: The global pandemic COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is persistent despite the increasing vaccination rates, with new cases being reported per week. MicroRNAs, that is, non -coding RNA species that regulate gene expression at the post -transcriptional level, play a pivotal role in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, pathophysiology and host's anticoronaviral responses. The objective of this study was the in silico discovery of functionally associated miRNAs that likely co -regulate COVID-19-related genes Materials and Methods: In the present study, an integrative bioinformatics approach was employed, including database searching, gene set enrichment analysis, network -based and microRNA target prediction methods, towards the discovery of epigenetic determinants of COVID-19. Results: An intricate microRNA-target gene network was constructed, and a set of 8 highly interacting microRNAs, that potentially co -target and co -regulate key COVID-19related genes, was detected. These miRNAs and their corresponding genes are likely involved in the host's response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion: The 8 functionally associated miRNAs could constitute a signature for COVID-19 diagnosis.