In Silico Analysis of MicroRNAs in Salivary Fluids in Forensic Genetics

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 39 Sayı: 1, 86 - 92, 30.04.2025

Filiz Ekim Çevik , Esra Güzel Tanoğlu

https://doi.org/10.61970/adlitip.1655120

Öz

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the target genes presented as candidates for the use of miRNAs in saliva, which is an important biological fluid in forensic genetics, as reference/target markers, and the effects of these genes on active pathways using in silico methods.
Methods: Within the scope of our study, 26 full-text articles that met the inclusion criteria from studies on microRNAs reported to be deregulated in the field of forensic medicine were scanned from PubMed Central and Google Scholar and examined in depth. In these research articles, it was found that 36 miRNAs were differentially expressed in saliva. TAM 2.0 software was used in in silico analyses.
Results: When the research articles in forensic medicine included in our study were examined, it was found that 36 miRNAs were differentially expressed in saliva. Of these; It has been shown that the presence of markers such as mir-205, miR-203, mir-203a-3p, mir-223-3p, mir-658 only in saliva can distinguish saliva from other body fluids such as blood, semen, urine and vaginal fluid. As a result of in silico analyses, it was found that the genes targeted by the detected miRNAs target genes such as TP53, STAT3, KLF2, NKFB1, MYC, TGFB1, ZEB1, which are important in cells. It was determined that these genes play a role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thyroid hormone signaling pathway and TGF-beta signaling pathways in pancreatic, colorectal and prostate cancers.
Conclusion: Determination of saliva-specific miRNA profiles offers a significant advantage in distinguishing the source of body fluid found at the scene. Our findings in this study highlight the potential of miRNAs and their target genes in saliva as an important biomarker in many areas such as body fluid identification, trauma detection, time of death estimation and individual identification in forensic genetic applications.

Anahtar Kelimeler

saliva, microRNA, mRNA, in silico, forensic genetic

Adli Genetikte Tükürük Sıvılarındaki MikroRNA’ların In Siliko Analizi

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, adli genetikte önemli biyolojik sıvılardan olan tükürükteki miRNA’ların referans/hedef belirteçler olarak kullanımında aday olarak sunulan hedef genlerin ve bu genlerin etkin yolaklardaki etkilerinin in siliko yöntemler ile araştırılmasıdır.
Yöntem: Çalışmamız kapsamında adli tıp alanında deregülasyonu bildirilen mikroRNA’larla ilgili araştırmalardan dahil etme kriterlerine uyan 26 tam metin makale PubMed Central’dan ve Google Scholar’dan taranarak derinlemesine incelendi. Bu araştırma makalelerinde tükürükte 36 miRNA’nın farklı ifadesinin olduğu bulundu. İn siliko analizlerde TAM 2.0 software kullanıldı.
Bulgular: Çalışmamıza dahil edilen adli tıp pratiğinde yapılan araştırma makaleleri incelendiğinde tükürükte 36 miRNA’nın farklı ifadesinin olduğu bulundu. Bunlardan; mir-205, miR-203, mir-203a-3p, mir-223-3p, mir-658 gibi belirteçlerin sadece tükürükte yüksek düzeyde bulunması, tükürüğü kan, semen, idrar ve vajinal sıvı gibi diğer vücut sıvılarından ayırt edebileceği gösterildi. İn siliko analizler neticesinde tespit edilen miRNA’ların hedefledikleri genlerin TP53, STAT3, KLF2, NKFB1, MYC, TGFB1, ZEB1 gibi hücrelerde önem arz eden genleri hedeflediği bulundu. Bu genlerin pankreas, kolorektal, prostat kanserlerde ilaveten epitelyal-mezenkimal geçiş, tiroid hormon sinyal yolağı TGF-beta sinyal yolaklarında rol oynadığı tespit edildi.
Sonuç: Tükürüğe özgü miRNA profillerinin belirlenmesi, olay yerinde bulunan vücut sıvısının hangi kaynaktan geldiğini ayırt etmede önemli bir avantaj sunmaktadır. Bu çalışmamızdaki bulgularımız tükürükteki miRNA’ların ve hedef genlerinin adli genetik uygulamalarda vücut sıvılarının tanımlanması, travma tespiti, ölüm zamanı tahmini ve bireysel tanımlama gibi birçok alanda önemli bir biyobelirteç olma potansiyelini vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

tükürük, mikroRNA, mRNA, in siliko, adli genetik

Etik Beyan

Çalışmaya dair bulgular bilgisayar programlarında gerçekleştirilmiş olup, etik kurul onayı gerektirmemektedir.

Kaynakça

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