bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Nov. 17, 2023
Abstract
The
mutations
driving
cancer
are
being
increasingly
exposed
through
tumor-specific
genomic
data.
However,
differentiating
between
cancer-causing
driver
and
random
passenger
remains
challenging.
State-of-the-art
homology-based
predictors
contain
built-in
biases
often
ill-suited
to
the
intricacies
of
biology.
Protein
Language
Models
have
successfully
addressed
various
biological
problems
but
not
yet
been
tested
on
challenging
task
mutation
prediction
at
large
scale.
Additionally,
they
fail
offer
result
interpretation,
hindering
their
effective
use
in
clinical
settings.
AI-based
D2Deep
method
we
introduce
here
addresses
these
challenges
by
combining
two
powerful
elements:
i)
a
non-specialized
protein
language
model
that
captures
makeup
all
sequences
ii)
protein-specific
evolutionary
information
encompasses
functional
requirements
for
particular
protein.
relies
exclusively
sequence
information,
outperforms
state-of-the-art
intricate
epistatic
changes
throughout
caused
mutations.
These
correlate
with
known
setting
can
be
used
interpretation
results.
is
trained
balanced,
somatic
training
set
so
effectively
mitigates
related
hotspot
compared
techniques.
versatility
illustrated
its
performance
non-cancer
prediction,
where
most
variants
still
lack
consequences.
predictions
confidence
scores
available
via
https://tumorscope.be/d2deep
help
prioritization.
Protein Science,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
32(1)
Published: Dec. 3, 2022
Reliable
prediction
of
free
energy
changes
upon
amino
acid
substitutions
(ΔΔGs)
is
crucial
to
investigate
their
impact
on
protein
stability
and
protein-protein
interaction.
Advances
in
experimental
mutational
scans
allow
high-throughput
studies
thanks
multiplex
techniques.
On
the
other
hand,
genomics
initiatives
provide
a
large
amount
data
disease-related
variants
that
can
benefit
from
analyses
with
structure-based
methods.
Therefore,
computational
field
should
keep
same
pace
new
tools
for
fast
accurate
ΔΔG
calculations.
In
this
context,
Rosetta
modeling
suite
implements
effective
approaches
predict
folding/unfolding
ΔΔGs
monomer
calculate
binding
complexes.
However,
application
be
challenging
users
without
extensive
experience
Rosetta.
Furthermore,
protocols
are
designed
considering
one
variant
at
time,
making
setup
screenings
cumbersome.
For
these
reasons,
we
devised
RosettaDDGPrediction,
customizable
Python
wrapper
run
calculations
set
using
little
intervention
user.
Moreover,
RosettaDDGPrediction
assists
checking
completed
runs
aggregates
raw
multiple
variants,
as
well
generates
publication-ready
graphics.
We
showed
potential
tool
four
case
studies,
including
uncertain
significance
childhood
cancer,
proteins
known
unfolding
values,
interactions
between
target
disordered
motifs,
phosphomimetics.
available,
charge
under
GNU
General
Public
License
v3.0,
https://github.com/ELELAB/RosettaDDGPrediction.
Current Opinion in Structural Biology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
91, P. 102994 - 102994
Published: Feb. 27, 2025
Missense
variants
can
affect
the
severity
of
disease,
choice
treatment,
and
treatment
outcomes.
While
number
known
has
been
increasing
at
a
rapid
pace,
available
evidence
their
clinical
effect
lagging
behind,
constituting
challenge
for
clinicians
researchers.
Multiplexed
assays
variant
effects
(MAVEs)
are
important
to
close
gap;
nonetheless,
computational
predictions
pathogenicity
still
often
only
data
scoring
variants.
Such
methods
not
designed
provide
mechanistic
explanation
amino
acid
substitutions.
To
this
purpose,
we
propose
structure-based
frameworks
as
ensemble
methodologies,
with
each
method
tailored
predict
different
aspect
among
those
exerted
by
substitutions
link
predicted
indicators.
We
review
frameworks,
well
advancements
in
underlying
that
on
several
protein
features,
such
stability,
biomolecular
interactions,
allostery,
post-translational
modifications,
more.
Cell Death and Disease,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
16(1)
Published: March 12, 2025
Abstract
The
mitochondrial
chaperone
TRAP1
is
a
key
regulator
of
cellular
homeostasis
and
its
activity
has
important
implications
in
neurodegeneration,
ischemia
cancer.
Recent
evidence
indicated
that
mutations
are
involved
several
disorders,
even
though
the
structural
basis
for
impact
point
on
functions
never
been
studied.
By
exploiting
modular
structure-based
framework
molecular
dynamics
simulations,
we
investigated
effect
five
structure
stability.
Each
mutation
differentially
impacts
long-range
interactions,
intra
inter-protomer
ATPase
activity.
Changes
these
parameters
influence
functions,
as
revealed
by
their
effects
interactor
succinate
dehydrogenase
(SDH).
In
keeping
with
this,
affect
growth
migration
aggressive
sarcoma
cells,
alter
sensitivity
to
selective
inhibitor.
Our
work
provides
new
insights
structure-activity
relationship
TRAP1,
identifying
crucial
amino
acid
residues
regulate
proteostatic
pro-neoplastic
Cell Death and Disease,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
14(4)
Published: April 21, 2023
Abstract
S
-nitrosylation
is
a
post-translational
modification
in
which
nitric
oxide
(NO)
binds
to
the
thiol
group
of
cysteine,
generating
an
-nitrosothiol
(SNO)
adduct.
has
different
physiological
roles,
and
its
alteration
also
been
linked
growing
list
pathologies,
including
cancer.
SNO
can
affect
function
stability
proteins,
such
as
mitochondrial
chaperone
TRAP1.
Interestingly,
site
(C501)
TRAP1
proximity
another
cysteine
(C527).
This
feature
suggests
that
-nitrosylated
C501
could
engage
disulfide
bridge
with
C527
TRAP1,
resembling
well-known
ability
cysteines
resolve
vicinal
cysteines.
We
used
enhanced
sampling
simulations
in-vitro
biochemical
assays
address
structural
mechanisms
induced
by
S-
nitrosylation.
showed
induces
conformational
changes
proximal
favors
conformations
suitable
for
formation.
explored
4172
known
proteins
using
high-throughput
analyses.
Furthermore,
we
coarse-grained
model
44
protein
targets
account
flexibility.
resulted
identification
up
1248
cysteines,
sense
redox
state
site,
opening
new
perspectives
on
biological
effects
switches.
In
addition,
devised
two
bioinformatic
workflows
(
https://github.com/ELELAB/SNO_investigation_pipelines
)
identify
or
accompanying
annotations.
Finally,
analyzed
mutations
tumor
suppressors
oncogenes
connection
switch
-nitrosylation.
classified
variants
neutral,
stabilizing,
destabilizing
propensity
be
undergo
population-shift
mechanism.
The
methods
applied
here
provide
comprehensive
toolkit
future
studies
candidates,
variant
classification,
rich
data
source
research
community
NO
field.
Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
21, P. 5395 - 5407
Published: Jan. 1, 2023
Neurodegenerative
diseases
(ND)
are
heterogeneous
disorders
of
the
central
nervous
system
that
share
a
chronic
and
selective
process
neuronal
cell
death.A
computational
approach
to
investigate
shared
genetic
specific
loci
was
applied
5
different
ND:
Amyotrophic
lateral
sclerosis
(ALS),
Alzheimer's
disease
(AD),
Parkinson's
(PD),
Multiple
(MS),
Lewy
body
dementia
(LBD).The
datasets
were
analyzed
separately,
then
we
compared
obtained
results.For
this
purpose,
correlation
analysis
genome-wide
association
revealed
correlations
with
several
human
traits
diseases.In
addition,
clumping
carried
out
identify
SNPs
genetically
associated
each
disease.We
found
27
in
AD,
6
ALS,
10
PD,
17
MS,
3
LBD.Most
them
located
non-coding
regions,
exception
on
which
protein
structure
stability
prediction
performed
verify
their
impact
disease.Furthermore,
an
differentially
expressed
miRNAs
examined
pathologies
reveal
regulatory
mechanisms
could
involve
genes
selected
SNPs.In
conclusion,
results
constitute
important
step
toward
discovery
diagnostic
biomarkers
better
understanding
diseases.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: May 7, 2023
Abstract
Structural
bioinformatics
and
molecular
modeling
of
proteins
strongly
depend
on
the
protein
structure
selected
for
investigation.
The
choice
relies
direct
application
from
Protein
Data
Bank
(PDB),
homology-
or
de-novo
modeling.
Recent
models,
such
as
AlphaFold2,
require
little
preprocessing
omit
need
to
navigate
many
parameters
choosing
an
experimentally
determined
model.
Yet,
still
has
much
offer,
why
it
should
be
interest
community
ease
models.
We
provide
open-source
software
package,
PDBminer,
mine
both
AlphaFold
Database
(AlphaFoldDB)
PDB
based
search
criteria
set
by
user.
This
tool
provides
up-to-date,
quality-ranked
table
structures
applicable
further
research.
PDBminer
overview
available
one
more
input
proteins,
parallelizing
runs
if
multiple
cores
are
specified.
output
reports
coverage
aligned
UniProt
sequence,
overcoming
numbering
differences
in
structures,
providing
information
regarding
model
quality,
complexes,
ligands,
nucleotide
binding.
PDBminer2coverage
PDBminer2network
tools
assist
visualizing
results.
suggest
that
can
applied
overcome
tedious
task
a
without
losing
wealth
additional
PDB.
As
developers,
we
will
guarantee
introduction
new
functionalities,
assistance,
training
contributors,
package
maintenance.
is
at
http://github.com/ELELAB/PDBminer
.
Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
63(23), P. 7274 - 7281
Published: Nov. 17, 2023
Computational
methods
relying
on
protein
structure
strongly
depend
the
selected
for
investigation.
Typical
sources
of
structures
include
experimental
available
at
Protein
Data
Bank
(PDB)
and
high-quality
in
silico
model
structures,
such
as
those
AlphaFold
Structure
Database.
Either
option
has
significant
advantages
drawbacks,
exploring
wealth
to
identify
most
suitable
ones
specific
applications
can
be
a
daunting
task.
We
provide
an
open-source
software
package,
PDBminer,
with
purpose
making
identification
selection
easier,
faster,
less
error
prone.
PDBminer
searches
Database
PDB
interest
provides
up-to-date,
quality-ranked
table
applicable
further
use.
overview
one
or
more
input
proteins,
parallelizing
runs
if
multiple
cores
are
specified.
The
output
reports
coverage
aligned
UniProt
sequence,
overcoming
numbering
differences
providing
information
regarding
quality,
complexes,
ligands,
nucleic
acid
chain
binding.
PDBminer2coverage
PDBminer2network
tools
assist
visualizing
results.
applied
overcome
tedious
task
choosing
without
losing
additional
PDB.
Here,
we
showcase
main
functionalities
package
p53
tumor
suppressor
protein.
is
http://github.com/ELELAB/PDBminer.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Nov. 24, 2023
Abstract
Lysosomal
acid
sphingomyelinase
(ASM),
a
critical
enzyme
in
lipid
metabolism
encoded
by
the
SMPD1
gene,
plays
crucial
role
sphingomyelin
hydrolysis
lysosomes.
ASM
deficiency
leads
to
deficiency,
rare
genetic
disorder
with
diverse
clinical
manifestations,
and
protein
can
be
found
mutated
other
diseases.
We
employed
structure-based
framework
comprehensively
understand
functional
implications
of
variants,
integrating
pathogenicity
predictions
molecular
insights
derived
from
dynamics
simulations
lysosomal
membrane
environment.
Our
analysis,
encompassing
over
400
establishes
structural
atlas
missense
variants
ASM,
associating
mechanistic
indicators
pathogenic
potential.
study
highlights
that
influence
stability
or
exert
local
long-range
effects
at
sites.
To
validate
our
predictions,
we
compared
them
available
experimental
data
on
residual
catalytic
activity
135
variants.
Notably,
findings
also
suggest
applications
resulting
for
identifying
cases
suited
replacement
therapy.
This
comprehensive
approach
enhances
understanding
provides
valuable
potential
therapeutic
interventions.