In silico analysis and prediction of transcription factors of the proteins interacting with astrocyte elevated gene-1

Abstract

Multifunctional in nature, the protein Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 (AEG-1) controls several cancers through protein-protein interactions. Although, specific physiological processes and molecular functions linked with AEG-1 interactors remain unclear. In our present study, we procured the data of AEG-1 interacting proteins and evaluated their biological functions, associated pathways, and interaction networks using bioinformatic tools. A total of 112 proteins experimentally detected to interact with AEG-1 were collected from various public databases. DAVID 6.8 Online tool was utilized to identify the molecular functions, biological processes, cellular components that aid in understanding the physiological function of AEG-1 and its interactors in several cell types. With the help of integrated network analysis of AEG-1 interactors using Cytoscape 3.8.0 software, cross-talk between various proteins, and associated pathways were revealed. Additionally, the Enrichr online tool was used for performing enrichment of transcription factors of AEG-1 interactors' which further revealed a closely associated self-regulated interaction network of a variety of transcription factors that shape the expression of AEG-1 interacting proteins. As a whole, the study calls for better understanding and elucidation of the pathways and biological roles of both AEG-1 and its interactor proteins that might enable their application as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in various diseases in the very near future.

Keywords: Astrocyte elevated gene-1; Interaction network; Localization; Pathways; Protein-protein interaction; Transcription factor.