Identification of significant differentially expressed miRNA and their targets common in idiopathic Parkinson's diseaseand Parkinson plus syndrome

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease is the most prevalent type of Parkinsonism. Its pathogenesis involves oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, protein aggregation, and neurodegeneration. Parkinson's plus syndrome presents additional progressing symptoms and shows temporary or no evident responses to dopaminergic therapy, whereas idiopathic Parkinson's responds effectively. Currently, there are no widely accepted biomarkers for both types of Parkinsonism. This study aims to identify differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs that target genes associated with neurodegeneration in idiopathic Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's plus syndrome by using micro RNA expression profiling and bioinformatics tools. Combined study results through miRNA expression analysis and network analysis revealed five significant miRNAs (hsa-miR-34, hsa-miR-29, hsa-miR-128, hsa-miR3175, and hsa-miR-6809) that were found to be common in both conditions. Their selected target genes (SNCA, PAK1, and PRKN) play crucial roles in the Parkinson's disease pathway and neurodegeneration. Thus, this research sheds light on potential therapeutic targets and a common pathway between idiopathic Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's plus syndrome.