Transcriptome profiling reveals target in primary myelofibrosis together with structural biology study on novel

Weihang Li1, Bin Yuan1,2, Yingjing Zhao3

  • 1Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.

Aging
|March 9, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified key genes in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) carcinogenesis and discovered two novel natural compounds that inhibit Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), offering potential new treatments for PMF.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics and Bioinformatics
  • Computational Chemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a serious myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by bone marrow fibrosis.
  • Identifying novel therapeutic targets and lead compounds is crucial for developing effective PMF treatments.
  • Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) is a key signaling protein implicated in PMF pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify critical genes involved in PMF carcinogenesis.
  • To screen for natural compounds that inhibit JAK2 activity.
  • To provide potential drug candidates for PMF treatment development.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gene expression profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.
  • Functional enrichment analyses (Gene Ontology, protein-protein interaction networks).
  • Computational drug discovery including virtual screening, ADMET prediction, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation.

Main Results:

  • Identified abnormal mRNA expression of LCN2, JAK2, MMP8, CAMP, DEFA4, LTF, MPO, HBD, STAT4, and EBF1 in PMF patients.
  • Functional enrichment analysis linked these genes to erythrocyte differentiation and neutrophil functions.
  • Discovered two novel natural compounds (ZINC000013513540, ZINC000004099068) with high binding affinity to JAK2 and favorable safety profiles.

Conclusions:

  • This study identified key genes in PMF carcinogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
  • The natural compounds ZINC000013513540 and ZINC000004099068 show promise as novel drugs for PMF.
  • These findings may accelerate the development of new pharmacological interventions for PMF.

Related Concept Videos

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
10.2K
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
8.3K
Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors01:52

Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors

Certain biochemical processes, such as embryonic development and cell growth regulation, depend on the repression of specific genes. DNA binding proteins known as eukaryotic transcription inhibitors regulate the repression of gene expression in eukaryotes. The presence of these inhibitors at the required location and time in the cell is triggered by the presence of hormones and additional signals from other cells.
Eukaryotic transcription inhibitors usually contain two distinct domains, a...
10.4K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
4.6K
Ribosome Profiling02:24

Ribosome Profiling

Ribosome profiling or ribo-sequencing is a deep sequencing technique that produces a snapshot of active translation in a cell. It selectively sequences the mRNAs protected by ribosomes to get an insight into a cell’s translation landscape at any given point in time.
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
3.9K
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells01:15

Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells

Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...
3.6K