Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2010
Abstract
Colorectal cancer progresses through an accumulation of somatic mutations, some of which reside in so-called "driver" genes that provide a growth advantage to the tumor. To identify points of intersection between driver gene pathways, we implemented a network analysis framework using protein interactions to predict likely connections - both precedented and novel - between key driver genes in cancer. We applied the framework to find significant connections between two genes, Apc and Cdkn1a (p21), known to be synergistic in tumorigenesis in mouse models. We then assessed the functional coherence of the resulting Apc-Cdkn1a network by engineering in vivo single node perturbations of the network: mouse models mutated individually at Apc (Apc1638N+/2) or Cdkn1a (Cdkn1a-/-), followed by measurements of protein and gene expression changes in intestinal epithelial tissue. We hypothesized that if the predicted network is biologically coherent (functional), then the predicted nodes should associate more specifically with dysregulated genes and proteins than stochastically selected genes and proteins. The predicted Apc-Cdkn1a network was significantly perturbed at the mRNAlevel by both single gene knockouts, and the predictions were also strongly supported based on physical proximity and mRNA coexpression of proteomic targets. These results support the functional coherence of the proposed Apc-Cdkn1a network and also demonstrate how network-based predictions can be statistically tested using high-throughput biological data. © 2010 Patel et al.
Keywords
protein interaction networks, colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, genetic networks, antigen-presenting cells, mouse models, network analysis, gastrointestinal tract
Publication Title
PLoS ONE
Rights
© 2010 Patel et al.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Patel VN, Bebek G, Mariadason JM, Wang D, Augenlicht LH, Chance MR (2010) Prediction and Testing of Biological Networks Underlying Intestinal Cancer. PLoS ONE 5(9): e12497. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0012497