Computer Program Aids Drug Development

The process was applied to 515 whole-genome yeast expression profiles resulting from a variety of treatments (compounds, knockouts, and induced expression).

Results published in the March 4, 2004, issue of Nature Biotechnology revealed that when the method was applied to PTSB, a growth inhibitory compound with a previously unknown mode of action, it was possible to predict that thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase were its targets. This prediction was then validated by experiments in the laboratory.

The investigators expect that use of this tool will allow drug developers to design compounds that will act on only desired gene and protein targets, and thus reduce incidences of unwanted side effects.



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