Comprehensive analysis of cuproptosis-related genes in diabetic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents a distinct myocardial pathology arising from chronic diabetic metabolic disturbances, characterized by progressive structural and functional abnormalities that frequently culminate in heart failure. Cuproptosis, a novel form of cell death, is highly linked to mitochondrial metabolism and mediated by protein lipoylation. However, studies are limited on the clinical significance of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in DCM. Therefore, it is helpful to identify CRGs involved in DCM and explore their expression and molecular mechanisms. METHODS: We downloaded three datasets of DCM from the GEO database and a set of cuproptosis-related genes with 176 genes. Following the identification of the differentially expressed cuproptosis-related genes(DECRGs) and hub genes, we performed the functional annotation, protein-protein interaction network, co-expression network analysis, mRNA-miRNA regulatory network.The GSE5606 dataset was then used to verify hub genes. Finally, we validated the expression of hub genes in a high glucose-induced H9C2 cell injury model via RT-qPCR. RESULTS: We identified 14 DEFRGs and 7 key genes in the DCM samples compared to the control. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that DECRGs are associated with several pathways, including TCA cycle, respiratory electron transport, oxidative stress, and metabolism pathway. Moreover, Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1(Idh1), Cytochrome P450 Family 1 Subfamily A Member 1(Cy...