In enrolled pregnant women, we found that the mRNA expression levels of E2F1 in serum and placental tissues were downregulated in GDM women compared with healthy controls (both P < 0.001, Figures 4(e) and 4(f)) and were negatively correlated with miR-136 levels in GDM patients (both P < 0.001, Figures 4(g) and 4(h)). Here, E2F1 is linked to gestational diabetes.