Exploring the molecular association between Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and dilated cardiomyopathy based on interpretable machine learning and molecular docking.

This study aims to explore the molecular association between di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) through interpretable machine learning and molecular docking techniques. DCM transcriptome datasets (GSE120895, GSE9800, GSE29819) are integrated. Disease-related genes are screened through differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Potential targets of DEHP are predicted using CHEMBL, SwissTargetPrediction, and PharmMapper databases. The associated targets of DEHP and DCM are identified via intersection analysis, and a multi-algorithm machine learning framework is used to further screen core genes. Finally, molecular docking is performed to verify the binding affinity between DEHP and core targets. A total of 1364 potential targets of DEHP are identified. Intersection with 61 DCM-related genes yields 11 key targets. Functional enrichment analysis shows that these genes are involved in ion homeostasis, metabolic reprogramming, and regulation of inflammatory pathways. Machine learning further screens eight core genes: ABAT, ACE2, BLM, C3, IGFBP2, KCNIP2, NPPA, and TYMS. Molecular docking confirms that DEHP has strong binding specificity with all eight core proteins.