# Identification of key circadian rhythm-associated genes as differentially expressed genes for cytomegalovirus infection in very-low-birth-weight infants

## TL;DR

This study identifies PER1 and CRY1 as key circadian rhythm genes with reduced expression in very-low-birth-weight infants infected with cytomegalovirus.

## Contribution

The study identifies PER1 and CRY1 as novel differentially expressed circadian rhythm genes in HCMV-infected very-low-birth-weight infants.

## Key findings

- PER1 and CRY1 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in HCMV-infected VLBW infants compared to controls.
- The findings suggest PER1 and CRY1 could be potential therapeutic targets for HCMV infection in VLBW infants.

## Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection has adverse effects on very low-birth-weight infants (VLBW) and is complicated with liver dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, and hearing impairment. Therefore, we explored new potential intervention targets in VLBW infants with HCMV infection.

Enrichment analysis of adult HCMV infection and control groups was performed in the GSE81246 dataset. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from VLBW infants with HCMV and those without HCMV (n = 3 per group) (collection: 9–10 a.m.) were sent for RNA-seq to enrich the transcriptome of the obtained GSE290897 dataset. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways with the same enrichment results and significant changes in the two datasets were selected and analyzed. Then the screened genes were verified using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR).

The key circadian rhythm genes PER1 and CRY1 were screened. RT-qPCR was used to detect PER1 and CRY1 mRNA levels in the PBMCs of VLBW infants with HCMV (n = 12) and the controls (n = 6) (collection: 9–10 a.m.). And results showed that PER1 and CRY1 mRNA was significantly decreased in HCMV infection than in the controls (P < 0.0001; P < 0.0001).

PER1 and CRY1 mRNA was significantly decreased in PBMCs from HCMV infected VLBW infants, providing new ideas for studying potential effective therapeutic targets for HCMV infection in VLBW infants.