In the posterior subpopulation,
BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor),
CEMIP (cell migration inducing hyaluronidase 1), and
THBS1 (thrombospondin 1), selectively expressed by cluster 0, were associated with anti-apoptosis and the maintenance of homeostasis in scleral ECM remodeling.
44 AKR1C1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C1),
AKR1C2 (aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C2), and
MGP in cluster 4 were related to steroid hormone metabolism and calcification regulation.
PCLAF (PCNA clamp associated factor),
CDKN3 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3), and
BIRC5 (baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5) in cluster 6 were involved in cell-cycle regulation, whereas
HELLS (helicase, lymphoid specific),
CLSPN (claspin), and
GINS2 (GINS complex subunit 2) in cluster 7 were associated with DNA replication.
PPP1R14A (protein phosphatase 1 regulatory inhibitor subunit 14A),
MMP1 (matrix metallopeptidase 1), and
YIF1B (Yip1 interacting factor homolog B, membrane trafficking protein) in cluster 8 were linked to cytoskeletal dynamics and vesicular trafficking, and
GOLGA8B (golgin A8 family member B),
NPIPB5 (nuclear pore complex interacting protein family member B5), and
MEG3 (maternally expressed 3) in cluster 10 were implicated in nucleocytoplasmic transport (
Fig. 2c).