Search

Background & Objective: Lung transplantation is a promising therapy for patients with end-stage lung disease. Pulmonary surfactant is a lipid and protein complex which has a key role in lung function. Molecular mechanisms mediating in rejection of lung transplantation related to surfactants are not still comprehensively understood. In this study, we applied bioinformatics approaches to identify genes and molecular mechanisms involved in surfactant function in rejection of lung transplantation. Materials & Methods: At first, transcriptomics data was extracted and analyzed to construct the protein-protein interaction network and gene regulatory network using Cytoscape. Then, networks analysis were performed to determine hubs, bottlenecks, clusters, and regulatory motifs to identify critical genes and molecular mechanisms involve in surfactant function in rejection of lung transplantation. Finally, critical genes selected for repuposing drugs. Results: Analyzing the constructed PPIN and GRN identified SCD, FN1, ICAM1, ITGB8, FOXC1, SIX1, FHL2, KRT5, TFAP2A, GAS5, MALAT1, and lnrCXCR4 as critical genes. Enrichment analysis showed the genes are enriched for pulmonary surfactant metabolism dysfunction, defective CSF2RB causes pulmonary surfactant metabolism dysfunction 4 and 5, Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-13 signaling may be the mechanisms for surfactant function in rejection of lung transplantation. We predicted some candidate drugs for preventing of lung transplantation rejection such as Sunitinib, Gemcitabine, Oxaliplatin, Hyaluronic acid. Conclusion: Following our model validation using the existing experimental data, our model suggested critical molecules and candidate medicines involve in surfactant function in rejection of lung transplantation for furtur investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uncontrolled mitosis of cancer cells and resistance cells to chemotherapy drugs are the challenges of prostate cancer. Thalicthuberine causes a mitotic arrest and a reduction of the effects of drug resistance, resulting in cell death. In this study, we applied bioinformatics and computational biology methods to identify functional pathways and side effects in response to Thalicthuberine in prostate cancer patients. Methods: Microarray data were retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and protein-protein interactions and gene regulatory networks were constructed, using the Cytoscape software. The critical genes and molecular mechanisms in response to Thalicthuberine and its side effects were identified, using the Cytoscape software and WebGestalt server, respectively. Finally, GEPIA2 was used to predict the relationship between critical genes and prostate cancer. Results: The POLQ, EGR1, CDKN1A, FOS, MDM2, CDC20, CCNB1, and CCNB2 were identified as critical genes in response to this drug. The functional mechanisms of Thalicthuberine include a response to oxygen levels, toxic substances and immobilization stress, cell cycle regulation, regeneration, the p53 signaling pathway, the action of the parathyroid hormone, and the FoxO signaling pathway. Besides, the drug has side effects including muscle cramping, abdominal pains, paresthesia, and metabolic diseases. Conclusion: Our model suggested newly predicted crucial genes, molecular mechanisms, and possible side effects of this drug. However, further studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpion venom contains different toxins with multiple biological functions. IMe-AGAP is the first Analgesic-Antitumor like Peptide (AGAP) isolated from Iranian scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus. This peptide is similar to AGAP toxin with high analgesic activity, extracted from Chinese scorpion and inhibits NaV1.8 and NaV1.9 voltage-gated sodium channels involved in the pain pathway. In this study, IMe-AGAP was cloned in a prokaryotic expression vector; expression of toxin in Escherichia coli (E. coli) was assayed and then purified. In in-silico studies, peptide sequence was compared with other scorpion analgesic toxins. The structures of IMe-AGAP and sodium channels were modeled using homology modeling. Structural evaluation and stereo-chemical analysis of modeled structures were performed using RAMPAGE web server Ramachandran plots. Hex Server was used to investigate the interactions between IMe- AGAP and S3-S4 and also S5-S6 segments of NaV1.8 and NaV1.9. Binding energies calculation was used for evaluation of protein docking. Soluble expression of IMe-AGAP in bacteria was investigated by SDS-PAGE analysis. Pure recombinant protein was obtained by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The results of three-dimensional structure prediction showed βαββ topology for the toxin that is similar to the conserved structure of α-toxins. Comparison analysis between IMe-AGAP and AGAP toxins exhibited high similarity in homology modeling. Docking analysis demonstrated that IMe-AGAP can interact with NaV1.8 and NaV1.9 domains involved in pain. According to the results of homology studies and docking, IMe-AGAP might be a novel potential drug for pain treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]