Inferring genetic networks and identifying compound mode of action via expression profiling

Science. 2003 Jul 4;301(5629):102-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1081900.

Abstract

The complexity of cellular gene, protein, and metabolite networks can hinder attempts to elucidate their structure and function. To address this problem, we used systematic transcriptional perturbations to construct a first-order model of regulatory interactions in a nine-gene subnetwork of the SOS pathway in Escherichia coli. The model correctly identified the major regulatory genes and the transcriptional targets of mitomycin C activity in the subnetwork. This approach, which is experimentally and computationally scalable, provides a framework for elucidating the functional properties of genetic networks and identifying molecular targets of pharmacological compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Computational Biology*
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Genes, Regulator
  • Linear Models*
  • Mathematics
  • Mitomycin / pharmacology
  • Models, Genetic*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • SOS Response, Genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Mitomycin