RNA-seq Insights
into Major Regulatory Networks in Pediatric Leukemia
Yadav Ruchi
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(9); 259-264;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/209rjbt2590264; (2025)
Abstract
Pediatric leukemia is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in children, necessitating
a deeper understanding of its molecular mechanisms. This study identifies key regulatory
networks driving pediatric leukemia using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and data from
the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA). Peripheral blood samples from pediatric leukemia
patients and healthy controls were analyzed. The computational pipeline included
quality control via FastQC, read alignment to the reference genome using STAR and
differential gene expression analysis with DESeq2. Total 250 differentially expressed
genes (DEGs) were identified between leukemia and control samples. Key pathways
associated with leukemogenesis including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and immune
response, were significantly enriched. Transcription factors such as MYC and NF-
κB were highlighted as central regulators of these networks. Gene ontology (GO)
and pathway enrichment analysis were performed using DAVID and KEGG databases, revealing
dysregulated immune signaling as a prominent feature of pediatric leukemia. Weighted
gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to identify gene modules
strongly correlated with leukemic phenotypes.
This study provides a comprehensive overview of dysregulated gene networks in pediatric
leukemia, leveraging publicly available ENA data and advanced computational techniques.
The results offer potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and new therapeutic targets
in pediatric leukemia, contributing to a better understanding of its molecular landscape.
