A Novel Combined Scientific and Artistic Approach for the Advanced Characterization of Interactomes: The Akirin/Subolesin Model

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to propose a novel methodology to approach challenges in molecular biology. Akirin/Subolesin (AKR/SUB) are vaccine protective antigens and are a model for the study of the interactome due to its conserved function in the regulation of different biological processes such as immunity and development throughout the metazoan. Herein, three visual artists and a music professor collaborated with scientists for the functional characterization of the AKR2 interactome in the regulation of the NF-κB pathway in human placenta cells. The results served as a methodological proof-of-concept to advance this research area. The results showed new perspectives on unexplored characteristics of AKR2 with functional implications. These results included protein dimerization, the physical interactions with different proteins simultaneously to regulate various biological processes defined by cell type-specific AKR–protein interactions, and how these interactions positively or negatively regulate the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway in a biological context-dependent manner. These results suggested that AKR2-interacting proteins might constitute suitable secondary transcription factors for cell- and stimulus-specific regulation of NF-κB. Musical perspective supported AKR/SUB evolutionary conservation in different species and provided new mechanistic insights into the AKR2 interactome. The combined scientific and artistic perspectives resulted in a multidisciplinary approach, advancing our knowledge on AKR/SUB interactome, and provided new insights into the function of AKR2–protein interactions in the regulation of the NF-κB pathway. Additionally, herein we proposed an algorithm for quantum vaccinomics by focusing on the model proteins AKR/SUB.

Vaccination with Recombinant Subolesin Antigens Provides Cross-Tick Species Protection in Bos indicus and Crossbred Cattle in Uganda

“…Recombinant proteins were produced in E. coli with the expected molecular weight (29 and 30 kDa for Rhipicephalus spp. and A. variegatum , respectively) for both monomer and dimer forms, which are commonly found in SUB/AKR with functional implications [ 32 ] ( Figure 3 B).…”

“…Based on these evidences, we propose to use R. appendiculatus SUB to continue research on vaccine design and formulation. Future directions would include quantum vaccinology approaches based on the characterization of the SUB protective epitopes [ 32 ] and tick-pathogen interactions [ 47 ], modeling of the vaccine E under Ugandan ecological and epidemiological conditions [ 4 ] and optimization of vaccine formulation including the possibility of oral administration to improve cattle welfare and safety [ 34 ].…”

Tick and Host Derived Compounds Detected in the Cement Complex Substance

“…Our experimental approach using proteomics allowed the high throughput identification of tick and host derived proteins in both sialome (2264 proteins) and cementome (654 proteins) of R. microplus female ticks collected at different feeding stages. Innovative experimental approaches may provide new insights to complex biological questions [78]. Based on a novel methodology for proteomics data analysis using the protein representation profiles after significant differences in pairwise comparisons between time points, proteins were putatively assigned to different categories of developmental processes.…”

Visual communication and learning from COVID-19 to advance preparedness for pandemics

“…The collaboration between science and art has advanced addressing scientific questions and the communication of research challenges and results to the society [6][7][8][9]. Visual communication is the transmission of knowledge using visual messages that effectively create meaning.…”