Network-Derived Radioresistant Breast Cancer Target with Candidate Inhibitors from Brown Algae: A Sequential

Mahema Sivakumar1, Sheikh F Ahmad2, Talha Bin Emran3,4

  • 1Drug Discovery and Multi-Omics Laboratory, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam 603103, Tamil Nadu, India.

Marine Drugs
|October 27, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified the proto-oncogene c-KIT (KIT) as a target for radioresistant breast cancer (RRbc). Nahocol-A1, a phytochemical from brown algae, shows promise as a therapeutic candidate, demonstrating strong binding to the KIT protein.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Aggressive breast cancers can develop resistance to therapy, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
  • Identifying specific molecular targets is crucial for developing effective therapies for radioresistant breast cancer (RRbc).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify a novel therapeutic target for radioresistant breast cancer (RRbc) by analyzing protein networks.
  • To evaluate phytochemicals from brown algae as potential therapeutic agents against the identified target.

Main Methods:

  • Integrated differential gene expression data to construct a protein-protein interaction network.
  • Performed survival analysis to pinpoint a critical RRbc protein target.
  • Screened brown algae-derived phytochemicals using molecular docking, ADME, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, MM-GBSA, and quantum mechanics.

Main Results:

  • The proto-oncogene c-KIT (KIT) was identified as a key therapeutic target for RRbc.
  • Nahocol-A1 from brown algae exhibited strong binding affinity (-8.56 kcal/mol) to the KIT protein.
  • Quantum chemical analysis and MD simulations confirmed nahocol-A1's favorable electronic properties and conformational stability with KIT.

Conclusions:

  • Nahocol-A1 demonstrates significant potential as a therapeutic candidate for radioresistant breast cancer.
  • Targeting the KIT protein with nahocol-A1 offers a promising strategy for overcoming radioresistance in breast cancer.