
Peptide–protein complexes play important roles in multiple diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The peptides may be the key molecules in the designing of inhibitors or drug targets. Many Chinese traditional drugs are shown to play various roles in different diseases, and comprehensive analyses should be performed using networks which could offer more information than results generated from a single level. In this study, a network analysis pipeline was designed based on machine learning methods to quantify the effects of peptide–protein complexes as drug targets. Three steps, namely, pathway filter, combined network construction, and biomarker prediction and validation based on peptides, were performed using cinnamon (CA) in CVDs and MetS as a case. Results showed that 17 peptide–protein complexes including six peptides and four proteins were identified as CA targets. The expressions of AKT1, AKT2, and ENOS were tested using qRT-PCR in a mouse model that was constructed. AKT2 was shown to be a CA-indicating biomarker, while E2F1 and ENOS were CA treatment targets. AKT1 was considered a diabetic responsive biomarker because it was down-regulated in diabetic but not related to CA. Taken together, the pipeline could identify new drug targets based on biological function analyses. This may provide a deep understanding of the drugs’ roles in different diseases which may foster the development of peptide–protein complex–based therapeutic approaches.
network analyses, peptide-protein complexes, cardiovascular, Genetics, QH426-470, metabolic syndrome, cinnamon
network analyses, peptide-protein complexes, cardiovascular, Genetics, QH426-470, metabolic syndrome, cinnamon
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 3 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
