Pathway topology with differential-expressed microRNAs?

Question

[dannyzimm]

I was reading this article when I read the follow sentence:

"We compared the two datasets and identified 42 miRNAs that were differentially expressed between SS and SR groups in both datasets.", "Pathway analysis with DIANA’smirPATH software using the microCts algorithm identified target pathways predicted to be regulated by these differentially expressed miRNAs"

As far as I know, a "pathway analysis" is a type of pathway topology method on which all the data without previous thresholds is used. I thought they refer to a over-representation analysis like GO enrichment, but they present signaling pathways on their results and I'm not sure if they are are GO terms (e.g.: MAPK signaling pathway, Thyroid Hormone Signaling). Considering this, what is the meaning of the previous statement?, What am I misunderstanding?.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

[dannyzimm]

I searched more about this and I came to the conclusion that they are using a type of over-representation analysis, where the characteristics to be counted are the enrichment of pathways on the gene list (rather than for example, GO terms). This type of analysis is called pathway enrichment analysis and it's outcome is high enriched pathways such those I mentioned in the question above.

Someone can confirm this?