A microRNA signature and TGF-β1 response were identified as the key master regulators for spaceflight response

PLoS One. 2018 Jul 25;13(7):e0199621. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199621. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Translating fundamental biological discoveries from NASA Space Biology program into health risk from space flights has been an ongoing challenge. We propose to use NASA GeneLab database to gain new knowledge on potential systemic responses to space. Unbiased systems biology analysis of transcriptomic data from seven different rodent datasets reveals for the first time the existence of potential "master regulators" coordinating a systemic response to microgravity and/or space radiation with TGF-β1 being the most common regulator. We hypothesized the space environment leads to the release of biomolecules circulating inside the blood stream. Through datamining we identified 13 candidate microRNAs (miRNA) which are common in all studies and directly interact with TGF-β1 that can be potential circulating factors impacting space biology. This study exemplifies the utility of the GeneLab data repository to aid in the process of performing novel hypothesis-based research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation* / drug effects
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Rats
  • Risk Assessment
  • Space Flight*
  • Transcriptome*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / pharmacology
  • Weightlessness

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • MicroRNAs
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Grants and funding

Research funding was provided by the GeneLab Project at NASA Ames Research Center, through NASA’s Space Biology Program in the Division of Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications (SLPSRA). Any use of trade names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the US Government.