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Amplification, Next-generation Sequencing, and Genomic DNA Mapping of Retroviral Integration Sites
Published on: March 22, 2016
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Association between ALS and retroviruses: evidence from bioinformatics analysis
Jon P Klein1, Zhifu Sun2, Nathan P Staff3
1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
BMC Bioinformatics
|December 22, 2019
Summary
This study suggests a link between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and retroviral activation. Bioinformatics analysis revealed shared protein networks and implicated neuroinflammation and apoptosis pathways, offering potential new drug targets for ALS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- Emerging evidence suggests a role for retroviruses in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathophysiology.
- Activation of endogenous retroviral genes is hypothesized to cause motor neuron degeneration.
- This study investigates the connection between ALS and retroviruses using protein interaction networks (PIN) and pathway analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore potential connections between ALS and retroviruses.
- To identify shared protein interaction networks.
- To consider the role of these connections in drug target discovery for ALS.
Main Methods:
- Utilized protein databases and pathway/network analytical software (Ingenuity Pathway BioProfiler, STRING, CytoScape).
- Performed topological and statistical analysis of ALS and retrovirus protein interaction networks.
- Conducted pathway enrichment analysis on identified core clusters.
Main Results:
- Identified a shared, essential protein network and a core cluster connecting ALS and retroviruses.
- The core cluster includes interleukins (IL10, IL-6, IL-1B), TP53, MAPK1, ANXA5, SQSTM1, SREBF2, and FADD.
- Pathway analysis linked this cluster to glucocorticoid receptor and neuroinflammation signaling pathways, with minimal connectivity to other viruses.
Conclusions:
- Bioinformatics analysis supports pathological links between ALS and retroviral activation.
- Neuroinflammation and apoptotic regulation pathways are specifically implicated in ALS pathogenesis.
- Further large-scale genomic studies may identify genes for retroviral activation and ALS, aiding drug target discovery.
Keywords:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosisBioinformaticsHIVMotor neuron diseaseNeurodegenerationPathway analysisRetrovirusMore Related Videos
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