A Biologically-Based Computational Approach to Drug Repurposing for Anthrax Infection.

ABSTRACT: Developing drugs to treat the toxic effects of lethal toxin (LT) and edema toxin (ET) produced by B. anthracis is of global interest. We utilized a computational approach to score 474 drugs/compounds for their ability to reverse the toxic effects of anthrax toxins. For each toxin or drug/compound, we constructed an activity network by using its differentially expressed genes, molecular targets, and protein interactions. Gene expression profiles of drugs were obtained from the Connectivity Map and those of anthrax toxins in human alveolar macrophages were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus. Drug rankings were based on the ability of a drug/compound's mode of action in the form of a signaling network to reverse the effects of anthrax toxins; literature reports were used

SUBMITTER: Bai JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5371854 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature