The identification of functional regions of MEK1 using CRISPR tiling screens

Abstract CRISPR tiling screen is a powerful tool to identify protein regions relevant to its biological function. Understanding the functional relevance of the regions of target protein is of great help for structure-based drug discovery. Studying the drug resistance mechanisms of small-molecule inh...

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Main Authors: Zhiqiang Zhang, Barbara Abreu, Jessica L. Brothwood, John Alexander, Martin J. Sims, John F. Lyons, Joanne M. Munck, Christopher J. Hindley
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Communications Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07966-4
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author Zhiqiang Zhang
Barbara Abreu
Jessica L. Brothwood
John Alexander
Martin J. Sims
John F. Lyons
Joanne M. Munck
Christopher J. Hindley
author_facet Zhiqiang Zhang
Barbara Abreu
Jessica L. Brothwood
John Alexander
Martin J. Sims
John F. Lyons
Joanne M. Munck
Christopher J. Hindley
author_sort Zhiqiang Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract CRISPR tiling screen is a powerful tool to identify protein regions relevant to its biological function. Understanding the functional relevance of the regions of target protein is of great help for structure-based drug discovery. Studying the drug resistance mechanisms of small-molecule inhibitors is important for the development and clinical application of the compounds. Using MEK1 and MEK inhibitors as example here, we demonstrate the utility of CRISPR tiling to identify regions essential for cancer cell viability and regions where mutations are resistant to MEK inhibitors. We study the drug resistance mechanisms of the regions and discussed the potential, as well as limitations, of applying the technology to drug development. Our findings demonstrate the value and prompt the utilization of CRISPR tiling technology in structure-based drug discovery.
format Article
id doaj-art-65bfa0faa14b4cb1aae762edb315aa92
institution Kabale University
issn 2399-3642
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Communications Biology
spelling doaj-art-65bfa0faa14b4cb1aae762edb315aa922025-08-20T03:53:32ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422025-04-018111510.1038/s42003-025-07966-4The identification of functional regions of MEK1 using CRISPR tiling screensZhiqiang Zhang0Barbara Abreu1Jessica L. Brothwood2John Alexander3Martin J. Sims4John F. Lyons5Joanne M. Munck6Christopher J. Hindley7Astex PharmaceuticalsAstex PharmaceuticalsAstex PharmaceuticalsAstex PharmaceuticalsAstex PharmaceuticalsAstex PharmaceuticalsAstex PharmaceuticalsAstex PharmaceuticalsAbstract CRISPR tiling screen is a powerful tool to identify protein regions relevant to its biological function. Understanding the functional relevance of the regions of target protein is of great help for structure-based drug discovery. Studying the drug resistance mechanisms of small-molecule inhibitors is important for the development and clinical application of the compounds. Using MEK1 and MEK inhibitors as example here, we demonstrate the utility of CRISPR tiling to identify regions essential for cancer cell viability and regions where mutations are resistant to MEK inhibitors. We study the drug resistance mechanisms of the regions and discussed the potential, as well as limitations, of applying the technology to drug development. Our findings demonstrate the value and prompt the utilization of CRISPR tiling technology in structure-based drug discovery.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07966-4
spellingShingle Zhiqiang Zhang
Barbara Abreu
Jessica L. Brothwood
John Alexander
Martin J. Sims
John F. Lyons
Joanne M. Munck
Christopher J. Hindley
The identification of functional regions of MEK1 using CRISPR tiling screens
Communications Biology
title The identification of functional regions of MEK1 using CRISPR tiling screens
title_full The identification of functional regions of MEK1 using CRISPR tiling screens
title_fullStr The identification of functional regions of MEK1 using CRISPR tiling screens
title_full_unstemmed The identification of functional regions of MEK1 using CRISPR tiling screens
title_short The identification of functional regions of MEK1 using CRISPR tiling screens
title_sort identification of functional regions of mek1 using crispr tiling screens
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07966-4
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