This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at UW-Madison.
What is Chemical Genomics?
Chemical genomics, or chemogenomics, refers to the study of the interactions between genes, biological processes, and small chemical compounds [1]. For this, screens of collections of chemical compounds are used to identify biological targets. Forward chemogenomics identifies active compounds based on their phenotypic and mechanistic effects on the target protein. Reverse chemogenomics are used to screen gene sequences of interest expressed as target proteins via high-throughput compound libraries [2]. The identification of these compounds allows for the development of drug therapies and treatments for disease phenotypes.
Chemical Genomics and CRY1
Melatonin is a molecule secreted by the body at night (dark phases) playing an important role in providing the organism daily and seasonal information [3]. In their study, Dardente et. al. provide data suggesting melatonin being directly responsible for the expression of CRY1, with the protein acting like a melatonin onset sensor.
Conclusion
Currently, there are no known chemical compounds known to rescue the circadian-clock rhythm mechanism with mutations in the CRY1 protein. However, high CRY1 expression has been linked to high melatonin concentrations in the blood plasma. Future studies through chemical genomics should identify molecules rescuing the mechanisms affected by CRY1 and help develop treatments for individuals with sleep-wake disorders.
References.
1. MacBeath G. (2001). Chemical genomics: what will it take and who gets to play?. Genome biology, 2(6), COMMENT2005.
2. Bredel, M., & Jacoby, E. (2004). Chemogenomics: An emerging strategy for rapid target and drug discovery. Nature Reviews Genetics, 5(4), 262-275. doi:10.1038/nrg1317
3. Dardente, H. (2003). Melatonin acutely induces Cry1 and dampens Per1 in the Pars Tuberalis of the rat: Implications for an hypothetical time-measurement model. GBM Annual Spring Meeting Mosbach 2003, 2003(Spring). doi:10.1240/sav_gbm_2003_m_000329
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1. MacBeath G. (2001). Chemical genomics: what will it take and who gets to play?. Genome biology, 2(6), COMMENT2005.
2. Bredel, M., & Jacoby, E. (2004). Chemogenomics: An emerging strategy for rapid target and drug discovery. Nature Reviews Genetics, 5(4), 262-275. doi:10.1038/nrg1317
3. Dardente, H. (2003). Melatonin acutely induces Cry1 and dampens Per1 in the Pars Tuberalis of the rat: Implications for an hypothetical time-measurement model. GBM Annual Spring Meeting Mosbach 2003, 2003(Spring). doi:10.1240/sav_gbm_2003_m_000329
Header image.
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Sara Acosta Villarreal Genetics and Genomics, UW-Madison [email protected] Last updated: May 10, 2019 |
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