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Cognitive Impact of Neurotropic Pathogens: Investigating Molecular Mimicry through Computational Methods
Pascal Büttiker1, Amira Boukherissa2,3, Simon Weissenberger4
1Department of Psychiatry, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
|October 29, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a computational method to identify molecular mimicry in neurotropic viruses, like herpesviruses. The approach successfully predicted protein interactions, offering insights into viral neuropsychiatric effects.
Area of Science:
- Computational biology
- Virology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Neurotropic pathogens, including herpesviruses, are linked to neuropsychiatric disorders.
- These viruses can use molecular mimicry to influence the host central nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a systematic computational approach for uncovering protein-protein interactions and molecular mimicry.
- To investigate the structural and functional similarities between human cytomegalovirus UL144 glycoprotein and human tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 14 (TNFRSF14).
Main Methods:
- Utilized Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLASTx) for sequence homology searches.
- Employed AlphaFold2 for 3D structure prediction and Foldseek for structural comparison.
- Applied AlphaFold-multimer and PPIscreenML to predict protein complexes and binding activities.
Main Results:
- Successfully replicated experimental findings on UL144 and TNFRSF14 interactions.
- Demonstrated the computational framework's ability to predict binding of TNFRSF14 to B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) and UL144 to BTLA.
- Validated the computational approach by confirming known interactions.
Conclusions:
- The developed in silico framework can identify structural similarities and interactions between viral and host proteins.
- This approach holds promise for understanding the molecular mechanisms behind viral infection-induced neuropsychiatric effects.
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