This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at UW-Madison.
What is Chemical Genetics? [1] Chemical genetics is technique that utilizes small organic molecules to the perturb biological processes in a similar manner to mutagenesis. Small molecules can alter the function of proteins by interacting with them, either inhibiting or activating them, allowing the observer see how the protein of interest interacts in the larger scheme of the cell or organism. Much like molecular genetics, chemical genetics can be performed by forward and reverse screens. Screens such as this utilize chemical libraries to help identify new protein-molecule interactions. |
What are the Advantages to Chemical Genetics? [1]
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Conclusion
Chemical genetics is useful in identifying new drugs as well as observing new biological pathways within cells. Much of the information already known about chemicals and their interactions with proteins is recorded in databases such as PubChem. This site is a useful tool for researchers looking for data in the context of both a protein or a specific compound. According to this database there are 48 molecules that have been discovered that interact with KIF5A, although most are inconclusive or unspecified on the activity that results from these interactions. The few compounds that do have activity are inhibitory in nature (7 molecules). No known chemical is recorded in the database that recovers the mutant KIF5A protein or up-regulates normal KIF5A. This information could have been useful in developing a drug to treat HSP.
References:
[1] Zheng XF. ( April 4, 2002). Chemical genomic: a systematic approach in biological research and drug discovery. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11931568
[1] Zheng XF. ( April 4, 2002). Chemical genomic: a systematic approach in biological research and drug discovery. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11931568