This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate course at UW-Madison.
What is chemical genetics?
Chemical genetics is the study of small molecules to better understand biological processes [1]. If bound to a protein, small molecules can alter the shape, function, and activity of a protein. Binding of a small molecule could potentially inactivate or produce new functions to a preexisting protein. Chemical genetics can ultimately be used for therapeutic discovery for disease.
What are small molecules assays?
Therapeutic discovery often starts with small molecule assays, which involves searching small molecules libraries for unique chemical-protein interaction. The study of small molecule libraries give information on protein functions, which can ultimately help in better understanding a particular disease or syndrome and developing treatments.
Figure 1. Small molecule assay. This is a visual for how small molecules are used to create the results found in small molecule libraries.
SEMA5A small molecule bioactivities
There were no results available for SEMA5A in either PubChem or ChemBank in regards to the compounds, bioassays, or targets. However, there were several results for bioactivity and related chemicals.
A bioactive chemical is a substance the causes a reaction or response in living tissue, or in this case, a gene [2]. The bioactivity search result obtained can be found here. Eight of the ten results are inactive chemicals that target the SEMA5A gene and were either discovered using RNAi or siRNA screens. The other two chemicals were unspecified, but do target the SEMA5A gene and were discovered using siRNA screens. Little information was given on the chemicals and their structures.
A bioactive chemical is a substance the causes a reaction or response in living tissue, or in this case, a gene [2]. The bioactivity search result obtained can be found here. Eight of the ten results are inactive chemicals that target the SEMA5A gene and were either discovered using RNAi or siRNA screens. The other two chemicals were unspecified, but do target the SEMA5A gene and were discovered using siRNA screens. Little information was given on the chemicals and their structures.
Discussion
Although little information was obtained in the small molecule search, bioactive chemicals that target the SEMA5A gene have been discovered. These bioactive chemicals can be used to further study Cri du Chat by manipulating the SEMA5A gene to display Cri du Chat-like phenotypes in individuals. More research in regards to compounds, bioassays, and targets for SEMA5A would be greatly beneficial to Cri du Chat patients and future therapeutic discoveries.
References
Figure 1. Small molecule assay. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v432/n7019/images/nature03196-f2.2.jpg
[1] MacBeath, G. (2001). Chemical genomics: what will it take and who gets to play? Genome Biology, 2(6), comment2005.1–comment2005.6.
[2] Abdelkarim GUAADAOUI, Soumaya BENAICHA, Naima ELMAJDOUB, Mohammed BELLAOUI, Abdellah HAMAL. What is a Bioactive Compound? A Combined Definition for a Preliminary Consensus. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences. Vol. 3, No. 3, 2014, pp. 174-179. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140303.16
[1] MacBeath, G. (2001). Chemical genomics: what will it take and who gets to play? Genome Biology, 2(6), comment2005.1–comment2005.6.
[2] Abdelkarim GUAADAOUI, Soumaya BENAICHA, Naima ELMAJDOUB, Mohammed BELLAOUI, Abdellah HAMAL. What is a Bioactive Compound? A Combined Definition for a Preliminary Consensus. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences. Vol. 3, No. 3, 2014, pp. 174-179. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140303.16