Drug repurposing for coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) based on gene co-expression network analysis

Area of Science:

• Virology and Bioinformatics
• Systems Biology
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious illness caused by SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV).
• The SARS-CoV genome is highly similar to SARS-CoV-2, suggesting insights from SARS-CoV research could aid in treating SARS-CoV-2.
• Identifying effective drugs for SARS-CoV may provide crucial leads for novel SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discover potential novel drugs for SARS-CoV-2 treatment using a systems biology approach.
• To leverage gene co-expression network analysis to identify therapeutic targets.
• To find candidate drugs and significant miRNAs for treating SARS-CoV-2.

Main Methods:

• Reconstructed a gene co-expression network for 1441 genes and identified significant modules.
• Collected transcription factors and miRNAs targeting module genes, establishing TF and miRNA sub-networks.
• Retrieved drug-gene and drug-TF interactions from DGIDb, followed by network analyses.

Main Results:

• Identified five candidate drugs: FLUOROURACIL, CISPLATIN, SIROLIMUS, CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE, and METHYLDOPA for SARS-CoV-2 treatment.
• Discovered ten significant miRNAs: miR-193b, miR-192, miR-215, miR-34a, miR-16, miR-92a, miR-30a, miR-7, and miR-26b.
• Established drug-gene and drug-TF interaction networks.

Conclusions:

• The study proposes five drugs as potential candidates for SARS-CoV-2 treatment.
• Identified ten miRNAs as significant for potential SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic strategies.
• Highlights the utility of systems biology and network analysis in drug discovery for viral respiratory illnesses.