Bioinformatics Network Analyses of Growth Differentiation Factor 11 Anti-aging Study

Abstract

Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) has been implicated in rejuvenative functions in age-related diseases. The molecular mechanisms connecting GDF11 with these anti-aging phenomena (reverse age-related cardiac hypertrophy, vascular and neurogenic rejuvenation, et al.) are still unclear. In this study, we aim to uncover the molecular functions of GDF11 using bioinformatics and network-driven analyses at human gene and transcription levels using gene co-expression network analysis and transcription factor network analysis. Our data suggests that GDF11 is involved in variety of functions such as apoptosis, DNA repair and telomere maintenance and interaction with key transcription factors such as MYC proto-oncogene (MYC), specificity protein 1 (SP1) and ETS proto oncogene 2 (ETS2). Our findings shed lights on the functions of GDF11 and provide insights into the role of GDF11 in aging.