Objective To investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to the occurrence and development of osteoporosis (OP) and to screen the potential drug targets. Methods The microarray data concerns osteoporosis were obtained from GEO database and DEGs were identified with R statistical software. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, and selection of Hub genes were conducted. Results A total of 569 DEGs were screened out. Among them, 7 genes were up-regulated and 562 genes were down-regulated. At the same time, differential gene GO analysis was mainly enriched in processes such as pre-mRNA intronic binding, nuclear body, histone modification, and mRNA 3’-end processing. KEGG analysis was mainly involved the ubiquitin mediated proteolysis signal pathway (hsa04120). PPI network analysis showed 517 nodes and 363 edges. Ten Hub genes, including TCEB1, CUL2, KBTBD6, KBTBD7, ASB8, KLHL42, ASB5, FBXO11, ANAPC10, and CDC23, were acquired using Cytoscape software. These genes were all down-regulated in mesenchymal cells of the femoral head of OP patients. Conclusion The top 10 Hub genes might help us to understand the pathophysiology of OP, and provide therapeutic targets for the development of drugs. Meanwhile,it might provide some new ideas for funding creative scientific hypotheses of OP. |