Table 2.
Hub genes selected by Cytoscape MCODE score and their biological role.
| No. | Gene Name | MCODE Score | Annotation and Biological Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CTHRC1 | 5 | Collagen triple helix repeat-containing protein 1; may act as a negative regulator of collagen matrix deposition. |
| 2 | BGN | 5 | Biglycan; may be involved in collagen fiber assembly; small leucine rich repeat proteoglycans. |
| 3 | FAP | 5 | Prolyl endopeptidase FAP; cell surface glycoprotein serine protease that participates in extracellular matrix degradation and is involved in many cellular processes including tissue remodeling, fibrosis, wound healing, inflammation, and tumor growth. Both plasma membrane and soluble forms exhibit post-proline cleaving endopeptidase activity, with a marked preference for Ala/Ser-Gly-Pro-Ser/Asn/Ala consensus sequences, on a substrate such as alpha-2-antiplasmin SERPINF2 and SPRY2. Degrades also gelatin, heat-denatured type I collagen, but not native collagen type I and IV, vibronectin, etc. |
| 4 | THBS2 | 4.46 | Thrombospondin-2; adhesive glycoprotein that mediates cell to cell and cell to matrix interactions. Ligand for CD36 mediating antiangiogenic properties |
| 5 | COL12A1 | 4.46 | Collagen alpha-1(XII) chain; type XII collagen interacts with type I collagen containing fibrils, the COL1 domain could be associated with the surface of the fibrils, and the COL2 and NC3 domains may be localized in the perifibrillar matrix; belongs to the fibril-associated collagens with interrupted helices (FACIT) family. |
| 6 | COL5A2 | 4.46 | Collagen alpha-2(V) chain; type V collagen is a member of group I collagen (fibrillar forming collagen). It is a minor connective tissue component of nearly ubiquitous distribution. Type V collagen binds to DNA, heparan sulfate, thrombospondin, heparin, and insulin. Type V collagen is a key determinant in the assembly of tissue- specific matrices (by similarity). |
| 7 | SULF1 | 4 | Extracellular sulfatase Sulf-1. Modifies the structure of heparan sulfate chains, an important component of the extracellular matrix, and, thereby, alters the function of the ECM. |
| 8 | SPP1 | 4 | Osteopontin; Binds tightly to hydroxyapatite. Appears to form an integral part of the mineralized matrix. Probably important to cell–matrix interaction; endogenous ligands. |
| 9 | COL10A1 | 4 | Collagen alpha-1(X) chain; type X collagen is a product of hypertrophic chondrocytes and has been localized to presumptive mineralization zones of hyaline cartilage; collagens. |