Identification of the ZEB2 gene as a potential target for epilepsy therapy and the association between rs10496964 and ZEB2 expression

Abstract

Objective: An association between the rs10496964 polymorphism and the ZEB2 gene has not yet been reported, and the role of ZEB2 in epilepsy therapy is also unclear. The aims of this research were to evaluate the role of ZEB2 in the therapy of epilepsy and to explore the association between rs10496964 and ZEB2 expression. Methods: We used the expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) dataset resource from the Brain eQTL Almanac to evaluate the association between rs10496964 and ZEB2 expression in human brain tissue. Pathway and process enrichment analysis, protein–protein interaction analysis, and PhosphoSitePlus® analysis were then performed to further evaluate the role of ZEB2 in the therapy of epilepsy. Results: The rs10496964 polymorphism was found to regulate the expression of ZEB2 in human brain tissue. The ZEB2 protein interacts with the targets of approved antiepileptic drugs, and a post-translational acetylation modification of ZEB2 was associated with an epilepsy drug therapy. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that ZEB2 may be involved in the therapy of epilepsy, and rs10496964 regulates ZEB2 expression in human brain tissue.