title: Analysis of genetic expression in the soft palate of patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Genetic dysregulation may be associated with development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Genetic expression was investigated in the soft palate of patients with OSA to evaluate the biomolecular characteristics of the tissue where airway obstruction actually occurs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Soft palate mucosa was obtained during uvulopalatal flap surgery. Three patients with apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) >30/h and three simple snoring patients with AHI < 5/h were enrolled. After total RNA was extracted and amplified, gene expression levels were determined by microarray analysis, and relative signal intensities for each gene were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 45,034 genes analyzed, 137 were up-regulated in OSA patients compared with simple snorers and 95 were down-regulated. Gene network analysis showed that genes related to RNA interference and transcription were most commonly involved in the functional pathophysiology of OSA. In particular, genes encoding proliferating cell nuclear antigen and proteasome 26S subunit ATPase 6 were functionally connected with other genes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Myeon
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Chul Hee
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chae-Seo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Yang-Gi
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Jeong-Whun
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015870:Gene Expression; D005796:Genes / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000378:metabolism*; D017286:Polysomnography; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012313:RNA