PROTEIN NETWORKS
Protein networks help visualize the connection of proteins within a cell. These proteins work cooperatively to form the functional networks that control cellular behavior. Protein-protein interactions can be identified in a number of different ways. Discovering and understanding protein networks may help examine the importance of mechanisms and the cascades that develop between proteins.
THE HDC PROTEIN NETWORK
To discover the protein connections and interactions with histidine decarboxylase I sent my data through STRING 9.1 or Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins. This website contains information on over 5 million proteins from various organisms. I used the human network for my results on HDC. The interactions viewed on STRING 9.1 include direct (physical) and indirect (functional) associations. Shown here are two networks of interest in relation to HDC and Tourette syndrome.
THE HDC NETWORK
Proteins of InterestHDC has many identifiable interaction partners in humans.
In Figure 1, two groups of proteins are highlighted with circles. BLUE: proteins related to the stomach and intestines. HDC plays a large role in maintaining the process of acid secretion in the stomach for digestion. HDC therefore has a link to gastrointestinal issues such as stomach cancers. Although these proteins are within the HDC network, they have not been linked to Tourette syndrome. RED: HNMT and ABP1 are proteins that play a large role in cellular response to a variety of substances. HNMT responds amines and tumor cells and ABP1 shows a response to histamines, copper and certain drugs/antibiotics. The response to histamine is important due to the lack of this enzyme in Tourette patients. A possible direction would be to test the sensitivity of this gene to histamine and discover its phenotypic response. |
ANOTHER HDC NETWORK
Using the tools provided on STRING 9.1, I was able to focus the network on a DDC protein related to histidine decarboxylase. As you increase the amount of proteins links to HDC, DDC becomes an available option. DDC is protein that is included in the biosynthetic process of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. It also acts within the circadian cycle of humans. The circadian cycle is our own biological clock that sets our sleep and wake cycles. You can view the whole DDC protein network here.
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Header Image Credit http://partneringresources.com/wp-content/uploads/Mayas-LinkedIn-Network.gif
REFERENCES
1 "STRING 9.1-HDC" Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins. Retrieved 28 Apr 2014. http://string-db.org/
REFERENCES
1 "STRING 9.1-HDC" Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins. Retrieved 28 Apr 2014. http://string-db.org/
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Spring 2014 Genetics 564 |
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