Identification of Common Hub Genes and Key Molecular Pathways between ADPKD and Renal Cell Carcinomas

Introduction ADPKD, a genetic ailment, leads to the emergence of tiny sacs brimming with fluid, commonly known as cysts, within the kidneys which has an association with Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC). We explore the gene signature shared between ADPKD and RCC based on integrated network analysis. Methods We searched the DisGeNET database to extract the overlapped genes (until November 2023) across the dominant autosomal disorder characterized by the growth of multiple cysts in the kidneys and all types of kidney cancers. Further, Enrichr was utilized for the identification of significant Gene ontology (GO) terms in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway. Further, the highest linkage hub genes were determined across the selected disorders through the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction for the overlapping genes using cytoHubba. Results We identified 187 common genes between ADPKD and urologic disorders. We identified 5 hub genes retrieved via Enrichr and Cytohubba analysis including TNF, JAK2, TGFB1, IL6, and EPO. These genes were mostly involved in molecular pathways and the KEGG pathway. The overlapping genes were most significantly related to the regulation of cell population proliferation (GO:0042127), pathways in cancer, pancreatic cancer, and receptor-ligand activity. Conclusions From a total number of 187 common genes, 5 key genes were mutual across ADPKD and all types of renal carcinoma. The identified feature could be potential targets in both disorders, even to manage malignancies in polycystic kidney disease.