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Sieber, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Sieber, A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Modelling Signalling Networks from Perturbation Data

MotivationIntracellular signalling is realized by complex signalling networks which are almost impossible to understand without network models, especially if feedbacks are involved. Modular Response Analysis (MRA) is a convenient modelling method to study signalling networks in various contexts.\n\nResultsWe developed a derivative of MRA that is suited to model signalling networks from incomplete perturbation schemes and multi-perturbation data. We applied the method to study the effect of SHP2, a protein that has been implicated in resistance to targeted therapy in colon cancer, using data from a knock out and parental colon cancer cell line. We find that SHP2 is required for MAPK signalling, whereas AKT signalling only partially depends on SHP2.\n\nAvailabilityAn R-package is available at https://github.com/MathurinD/STASNet\n\nContactnils.bluethgen@charite.de

bioinformatics

Comparative Network Reconstruction using Mixed Integer Programming

New anti-cancer drugs that specifically target oncogenes involved in signalling show great clinical promise. However, the effectiveness of such targeted treatments is often hampered by innate or acquired resistance due to feedbacks, crosstalks or network adaptations in response to drug treatment. Addressing this problem requires an understanding of these networks and how they differ between cells with different oncogenic mutations or between sensitive and resistant cells. Here, we present Comparative Network Reconstruction (CNR), a computational method to reconstruct signaling networks based on incomplete perturbation data, and to identify which edges differ quantitatively between two or more signalling networks. Prior knowledge about network topology is not required but can straightforwardly be incorporated. We extensively tested our approach using simulated data and applied it to perturbation data from a BRAF mutant cell line that developed resistance to BRAF inhibition. Comparing the reconstructed networks of sensitive and resistant cells suggests that the resistance mechanism involves re-establishing wildtype MAPK signaling, possibly through an alternative RAF-isoform.

systems biology

Dissecting cancer resistance to therapies with cell-type-specific dynamic logic models

Therapies targeting specific molecular processes, in particular kinases, are major strategies to treat cancer. Genomic features are commonly used as biomarkers for drug sensitivity, but our ability to stratify patients based on these features is still limited. As response to kinase inhibitors is a dynamic process affecting largely signal transduction, we investigated the association between cell-specific dynamic signaling pathways and drug sensitivity. We measured 14 phosphoproteins under 43 different perturbed conditions (combination of 5 stimuli and 7 inhibitors) for 14 colorectal cancer cell-lines, and built cell-line-specific dynamic logic models of the underlying signaling network. Model parameters, representing pathway dynamics, were used as features to predict sensitivity to a panel of 27 drugs. This analysis revealed associations between cell-specific signaling pathways and drug sensitivity for 14 of the drugs, 9 of which have no genomic biomarker. Following one of these associations, we validated a drug combination predicted to overcome resistance to MEK inhibitors by co-blockade of GSK3. These results underscore the value of perturbation-based studies to find biomarkers and combination therapies complementing those based on a static genomic characterization.

cancer biology