Systems biology based miRNA-mRNA expression pattern analysis of Emodin in breast cancer cell lines.

Breast cancer has been among the most prominent cancers with high mortality. Currently most of the offered therapeutics are toxic; hence, less toxic therapeutic intervention is required. Here, we studied the molecular mechanisms of the effect of a phytoestrogen Emodin on estrogen receptor positive MCF-7 and negative MDA-MB-231 cells by carrying out a comprehensive network assessment. Differentially expressed microRNAs along with their previously identified differentially expressed mRNAs were analyzed through microarrays by using integrative systems biology approach. For each cell line miRNA-target gene networks were built, gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses were performed, enrichment maps were constructed and the potential key genes, miRNAs and miRNA-gene interactions were studied.