转录因子结合位点的计算预测方法研究进展

转录因子结合位点的计算预测是研究基因转录调控的重要环节,但现有算法的预测特异性偏低.在深入分析转录因子结合位点生物特征的基础上,对当前基于保守模体和基于比较基因组学的两类计算预测方法进行了综述,指出了方法各自的优点和不足,并探讨了可能的改进方向.     

利用序列保守模体和局部构象信息预测转录因子结合位点

转录因子结合位点的计算预测是研究基因转录调控的重要环节,但常用的位置特异得分矩阵方法预测特异性偏低.通过深入分析结合位点的生物特征,提出了一种综合利用序列保守模体和局部构象信息的结合位点预测方法,以极大相关得分矩阵作为保守模体的描述模型,并根据二苷参数模型计算位点序列的局部构象,将两类信息得分组合为多维特征向量,在二次判别分析的框架下进行训练和滑动预测.预测过程中还引入了位置信息量以优化似然得分和过滤备选结果.针对大肠杆菌CRP和Fis结合位点数据的留一法测试结果表明,描述模型的改进和多种信息的融合能有效地改善预测方法的性能,大幅度提高特异性.     

Interfering with MAP Kinase Docking Interactions: Implications and Perspectives for the p38 Route

Docking interactions are key to understand the dynamic assembly of signal transductioncomplexes in the cell. In particular, the docking domain (D domain)-dependentinteractions described so far for several MAPK routes are essential to specify theupstream regulators, downstream mediators and also inactivators that complex with thep38, JNK and ERK proteins. In addition to contributing to the maintenance of thelinearity and specificity of these pathways, novel data have revealed that dockingcontacts also regulate the activity, subcellular distribution and substrate selection ofeach MAPK. Moreover, phosphorylation inside or around a docking domain isemerging as a novel mechanism of regulation of MAPK association with cellularpartners, suggesting new potential strategies for the design of selective MAPKinhibitors. Here, we discuss these novel data and the biochemical and cellularimplications they may have with specific emphasis on the p38 route.     

Molecular Docking Simulations Provide Insights in the Substrate Binding Sites and Possible Substrates of the ABCC6 Transporter

The human ATP-binding cassette family C member 6 (ABCC6) gene encodes an ABC transporter protein (ABCC6), primarily expressed in liver and kidney. Mutations in the ABCC6 gene cause pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), an autosomal recessive connective tissue disease characterized by ectopic mineralization of the elastic fibers. The pathophysiology underlying PXE is incompletely understood, which can at least partly be explained by the undetermined nature of the ABCC6 substrates as well as the unknown substrate recognition and binding sites. Several compounds, including anionic glutathione conjugates (N-ethylmaleimide; NEM-GS) and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) were shown to be modestly transported in vitro; conversely, vitamin K3 (VK3) was demonstrated not to be transported by ABCC6. To predict the possible substrate binding pockets of the ABCC6 transporter, we generated a 3D homology model of ABCC6 in both open and closed conformation, qualified for molecular docking and virtual screening approaches. By docking 10 reported in vitro substrates in our ABCC6 3D homology models, we were able to predict the substrate binding residues of ABCC6. Further, virtual screening of 4651 metabolites from the Human Serum Metabolome Database against our open conformation model disclosed possible substrates for ABCC6, which are mostly lipid and biliary secretion compounds, some of which are found to be involved in mineralization. Docking of these possible substrates in the closed conformation model also showed high affinity. Virtual screening expands this possibility to explore more compounds that can interact with ABCC6, and may aid in understanding the mechanisms leading to PXE.     

A Biochemical Genomics Screen for Substrates of Ste20p Kinase Enables the In Silico Prediction of Novel Substrates

The Ste20/PAK family is involved in many cellular processes, including the regulation of actin-based cytoskeletal dynamics and the activation of MAPK signaling pathways. Despite its numerous roles, few of its substrates have been identified. To better characterize the roles of the yeast Ste20p kinase, we developed an in vitro biochemical genomics screen to identify its substrates. When applied to 539 purified yeast proteins, the screen reported 14 targets of Ste20p phosphorylation. We used the data resulting from our screen to build an in silico predictor to identify Ste20p substrates on a proteome-wide basis. Since kinase-substrate specificity is often mediated by additional binding events at sites distal to the phosphorylation site, the predictor uses the presence/absence of multiple sequence motifs to evaluate potential substrates. Statistical validation estimates a threefold improvement in substrate recovery over random predictions, despite the lack of a single dominant motif that can characterize Ste20p phosphorylation. The set of predicted substrates significantly overrepresents elements of the genetic and physical interaction networks surrounding Ste20p, suggesting that some of the predicted substrates are in vivo targets. We validated this combined experimental and computational approach for identifying kinase substrates by confirming the in vitro phosphorylation of polarisome components Bni1p and Bud6p, thus suggesting a mechanism by which Ste20p effects polarized growth.     

Downregulation of the Gli Transcription Factors Regulator Kif7 Facilitates Cell Survival and Migration of Choriocarcinoma Cells

The kinesin protein Kif7 has been recognized as an integral component of hedgehog signalling. Aberrant activation of hedgehog signalling has been implicated in many human solid tumours. Gestational trophoblastic disease includes frankly malignant choriocarcinoma and potentially malignant hydatidiform mole. Here we investigated the hedgehog signalling components expression profiles in gestational trophoblastic disease. Downregulation of Gli1, Gli2, Gli3 and Kif7 was demonstrated in clinical samples of choriocarcinoma and hydatidiform moles as well as choriocarcinoma cell lines when compared with normal placentas. Ectopic expression of Kif7 in two choriocarcinoma cell lines JAR and JEG-3 led to a decrease in cell growth and increase in apoptosis demonstrated by MTT and TUNEL assays, respectively. Overexpression of Kif7 also led to suppressed cell migration through transwell assay. In contrast, knocking down Kif7 in HTR-8/SVneo, an immortalized trophoblast cell line, increased cell number over time and increased the migratory ability of the cells. Taken together, Kif7 may contribute to pathogenesis of gestational trophoblastic disease through enhancing survival and promoting dissemination of trophoblasts.     

GPS-SNO: Computational Prediction of Protein S-Nitrosylation Sites with a Modified GPS Algorithm

As one of the most important and ubiquitous post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins, S-nitrosylation plays important roles in a variety of biological processes, including the regulation of cellular dynamics and plasticity. Identification of S-nitrosylated substrates with their exact sites is crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms of S-nitrosylation. In contrast with labor-intensive and time-consuming experimental approaches, prediction of S-nitrosylation sites using computational methods could provide convenience and increased speed. In this work, we developed a novel software of GPS-SNO 1.0 for the prediction of S-nitrosylation sites. We greatly improved our previously developed algorithm and released the GPS 3.0 algorithm for GPS-SNO. By comparison, the prediction performance of GPS 3.0 algorithm was better than other methods, with an accuracy of 75.80%, a sensitivity of 53.57% and a specificity of 80.14%. As an application of GPS-SNO 1.0, we predicted putative S-nitrosylation sites for hundreds of potentially S-nitrosylated substrates for which the exact S-nitrosylation sites had not been experimentally determined. In this regard, GPS-SNO 1.0 should prove to be a useful tool for experimentalists. The online service and local packages of GPS-SNO were implemented in JAVA and are freely available at: http://sno.biocuckoo.org/.     

基于进化足迹法结合位置打分函数的转录因子结合位点预测

目的:预测转录因子结合位点。方法:本文从ABS数据库上下载了人类和啮齿类动物的直系同源的启动子序列,首先使用位置打分函数对这些启动子序列进行打分,找到候选的转录因子结合位点,并进一步利用进化足迹法对这些候选的转录因子结合位点进行筛选,只有结合位点同时出现在人类和啮齿类动物的启动子序列才认为是真正的结合位点。结果:在对人类和啮齿类动物进行转录因子结合位点预测时,与单独使用打分函数的结果相比,进化足迹法与打分函数结合的方法有效的提高了预测结果的性能,大幅度提供所得预测结果的特异性。结论:进化足迹法结合位置打分矩阵的方法能较为准确有效的预测转录因子结合位点。