Structural debilitation of mutation G322D associated with MSH2 and their role in triple negative breast cancer

Ramireddy Sriroopreddy1, P Raghuraman1, C Sudandiradoss1

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India.

Insights

A missense mutation in the mismatch repair gene MSH2 (G322D) disrupts its structure, leading to protein misfolding relevant to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study reveals key structural changes and offers insights for targeted therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology
  • Cancer Genetics

Background:

  • The mismatch repair gene MSH2 is crucial in hereditary cancers.
  • Missense mutations in MSH2 can lead to pathogenic effects.
  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with limited therapeutic options.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the structural impact of the G322D missense mutation in MSH2.
  • To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying MSH2 dysfunction in TNBC.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets based on structural insights.

Main Methods:

  • Detailed analysis of intra-residual contacts and secondary structural arrangements.
  • Molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate conformational changes upon mutation.
  • Fold recognition to assess protein structural stability.

Main Results:

  • The G322D mutation causes significant destabilization and protein misfolding.
  • Conformational changes were observed in specific C-terminal regions (290-294, 339-347, 373-395) compared to the native structure.
  • Structural debilitation in core regions (303-309, 326-330) disrupts loop-helix connections essential for native protein folding.

Conclusions:

  • The G322D mutation in MSH2 leads to profound structural alterations, contributing to its pathogenicity in TNBC.
  • Understanding these conformational transitions provides valuable insights into MSH2 functional behavior.
  • The findings pave the way for developing improved therapeutic strategies targeting MSH2-related cancers.

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