The somatic genomic landscape of glioblastoma

We describe the landscape of somatic genomic alterations based on multidimensional and comprehensive characterization of more than 500 glioblastoma tumors (GBMs). We identify several novel mutated genes as well as complex rearrangements of signature receptors, including EGFR and PDGFRA. TERT promoter mutations are shown to correlate with elevated mRNA expression, supporting a role in telomerase reactivation. Correlative analyses confirm that the survival advantage of the proneural subtype is conferred by the G-CIMP phenotype, and MGMT DNA methylation may be a predictive biomarker for treatment response only in classical subtype GBM. Integrative analysis of genomic and proteomic profiles challenges the notion of therapeutic inhibition of a pathway as an alternative to inhibition of the target itself. These data will facilitate the discovery of therapeutic and diagnostic target candidates, the validation of research and clinical observations and the generation of unanticipated hypotheses that can advance our molecular understanding of this lethal cancer

The Somatic Genomic Landscape of Glioblastoma

We describe the landscape of somatic genomic alterations based on multi-dimensional and comprehensive characterization of more than 500 glioblastoma tumors (GBMs). We identify several novel mutated genes as well as complex rearrangements of signature receptors including EGFR and PDGFRA. TERT promoter mutations are shown to correlate with elevated mRNA expression, supporting a role in telomerase reactivation. Correlative analyses confirm that the survival advantage of the proneural subtype is conferred by the G-CIMP phenotype, and MGMT DNA methylation may be a predictive biomarker for treatment response only in classical subtype GBM. Integrative analysis of genomic and proteomic profiles challenges the notion of therapeutic inhibition of a pathway as an alternative to inhibition of the target itself. These data will facilitate the discovery of therapeutic and diagnostic target candidates, the validation of research and clinical observations and the generation of unanticipated hypotheses that can advance our molecular understanding of this lethal cancer

Halogen Interactions in Protein–Ligand Complexes: Implications of Halogen Bonding for Rational Drug Design

Halogen bonding interactions between halogenated ligands and proteins were examined using the crystal structures deposited to date in the PDB. The data was analyzed as a function of halogen bonding to main chain Lewis bases, viz. oxygen of backbone carbonyl and backbone amide nitrogen. This analysis also examined halogen bonding to side-chain Lewis bases (O, N, and S) and to the electron-rich aromatic amino acids. All interactions were restricted to van der Waals radii with respective atoms. The data reveals that while fluorine and chlorine have strong tendencies favoring interactions with the backbone Lewis bases at glycine, the trend is not restricted to the achiral amino acid backbone for larger halogens. Halogen side-chain interactions are not restricted to amino acids containing O, N, and S as Lewis bases. Electron-rich aromatic amino acids host a high frequency of halogen bonds as does Leu. A closer examination of the latter hydrophobic side chain reveals that the “propensity of interactions” of halogen ligands at this oily residue is an outcome of strong classical halogen bonds with Lewis bases in the vicinity. Finally, an examination of Θ₁ (C–X···O and C–X···N) and Θ₂ (X···O–Z and X···N–Z) angles reveals that very few ligands adopt classical halogen bonding angles, suggesting that steric and other factors may influence these angles. The data is discussed in the context of ligand design for pharmaceutical applications

Dynamic evolution of great ape Y chromosomes.

The mammalian male-specific Y chromosome plays a critical role in sex determination and male fertility. However, because of its repetitive and haploid nature, it is frequently absent from genome assemblies and remains enigmatic. The Y chromosomes of great apes represent a particular puzzle: their gene content is more similar between human and gorilla than between human and chimpanzee, even though human and chimpanzee share a more recent common ancestor. To solve this puzzle, here we constructed a dataset including Ys from all extant great ape genera. We generated assemblies of bonobo and orangutan Ys from short and long sequencing reads and aligned them with the publicly available human, chimpanzee, and gorilla Y assemblies. Analyzing this dataset, we found that the genus Pan, which includes chimpanzee and bonobo, experienced accelerated substitution rates. Pan also exhibited elevated gene death rates. These observations are consistent with high levels of sperm competition in Pan Furthermore, we inferred that the great ape common ancestor already possessed multicopy sequences homologous to most human and chimpanzee palindromes. Nonetheless, each species also acquired distinct ampliconic sequences. We also detected increased chromatin contacts between and within palindromes (from Hi-C data), likely facilitating gene conversion and structural rearrangements. Our results highlight the dynamic mode of Y chromosome evolution and open avenues for studies of male-specific dispersal in endangered great ape species

Halogen interactions in protein-ligand complexes: Implications of halogen bonding for rational drug design

Halogen bonding interactions between halogenated ligands and proteins were examined using the crystal structures deposited to date in the PDB. The data was analyzed as a function of halogen bonding to main chain Lewis bases, viz. oxygen of backbone carbonyl and backbone amide nitrogen. This analysis also examined halogen bonding to side-chain Lewis bases (O, N, and S) and to the electron-rich aromatic amino acids. All interactions were restricted to van der Waals radii with respective atoms. The data reveals that while fluorine and chlorine have strong tendencies favoring interactions with the backbone Lewis bases at glycine, the trend is not restricted to the achiral amino acid backbone for larger halogens. Halogen side-chain interactions are not restricted to amino acids containing O, N, and S as Lewis bases. Electron-rich aromatic amino acids host a high frequency of halogen bonds as does Leu. A closer examination of the latter hydrophobic side chain reveals that the propensity of interactions of halogen ligands at this oily residue is an outcome of strong classical halogen bonds with Lewis bases in the vicinity. Finally, an examination of Θ1 (C-X⋯O and C-X⋯N) and Θ2 (X⋯O-Z and X⋯N-Z) angles reveals that very few ligands adopt classical halogen bonding angles, suggesting that steric and other factors may influence these angles. The data is discussed in the context of ligand design for pharmaceutical applications. © 2013 American Chemical Society