WGCNA Applied To Explore AML-related Genes

Acute myeloid leukemia(AML)is a hematological tumor caused by malignant proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells.AML has high morbidity and mortality not only in China but also in all around the world.As a highly heterogeneous disease,it is important to screen for appropriate prognostic factors for the precise treatment of AML.In this study,we used weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA)to modularize genes TCGA AML,and screen for a gene module that is significantly associated with AML clinical information.We further explored the function and significance of genes in the module.Finally,we found a module containing 289 genes that is most significantly associated with clinical information from 16 modules.The most important hub gene in the module is the HOXA6,which is classified in HOXA family.The correlation between HOXA family and AML has been confirmed by many literatures,but the relationship between HOXA6 and AML is not clear.We used statistical methods and found that the high expression of HOXA6 is associated with FAB classification and NPM1 gene mutations.These results indicate that high expression of HOXA6 in AML may be a poor prognostic factor.We applied WGCNA to explore AML-related genes,which laid the foundation for finding a poor prognosis related factors of AML.We proved the role of HOXA family genes in leukemia,and provided a new understanding of the molecular mechanism of AML.