A framework for identification of on- and off-target transcriptional responses to drug treatment

Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 26;9(1):17603. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-54180-4.

Abstract

Owing to safety concerns or insufficient efficacy, few drug candidates are approved for marketing. Drugs already on the market may be withdrawn due to adverse effects (AEs) discovered after market introduction. Comprehensively investigating the on-/off-target effects of drugs can help expose AEs during the drug development process. We have developed an integrative framework for systematic identification of on-/off-target pathways and elucidation of the underlying regulatory mechanisms, by combining promoter expression profiling after drug treatment with gene perturbation of the primary drug target. Expression profiles from statin-treated cells and HMG-CoA reductase knockdowns were analyzed using the framework, allowing for identification of not only reported adverse effects but also novel candidates of off-target effects from statin treatment, including key regulatory elements of on- and off-targets. Our findings may provide new insights for finding new usages or potential side effects of drug treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Computer Simulation
  • Drug Repositioning*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Gene Regulatory Networks* / drug effects
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / genetics
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Nucleotide Motifs
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects*

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • HMGCR protein, human
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases