Functional genomics in identification of drug targets in Dupuytren's contracture

Abstract

Although functional genomics methods offer new viewpoint on molecular processes involved in particular pathological state, these methods, in particular proteomics, are still under-represented in Dupuytren's contracture research. However, several recent papers based on functional genomics technologies represent a breakthrough in studying Dupuytren's contracture as they revealed new molecular players that had been impossible to detect by traditional molecular biology methods. Using computational tools to provide biological context for such broad arrays of data accelerates the process of homing in on the potential molecular markers and drug targets. Interactomes, maps of protein-protein interactions characteristic for the disease and as such putative models of its molecular pathology, are especially useful for this purpose, facilitating the transition from global screening methods to specific experiments aimed at therapy development. The combination of these approaches in Dupuytren's contracture research might therefore facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers indicative of disease progression.