This web page was produced as an assignment for Gen677 at UW-Madison Spring 2012.
Estrogen and fibrinogen protein interaction networks
Using STRING, protein-protein interaction networks were found for estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) and fibrinogen gamma chain (FGG). These interaction networks are based on primary literature. The colorful lines indicate that scientific research has found that the two protein interact directly. The light gray lines indicate the the two proteins are only linked by primary literature abstract mentions and have not yet been determined to interact directly.
The STRING interaction networks for ESR2 and FGG interaction networks were compared to the ITGAM interaction network. This was done in order to determine if there is a molecular link between ITGAM, ESR2, and FGG and, ultimately, to determine if there are links between ITGAM, estrogen, SLE, and coronary heart disease.
Some of the same proteins were found in both the FGG interaction network and the ITGAM interaction network found on STRING. These proteins include coagulation factor II, thrombin (F2) and Integrin alpha-D(ITGAD).
There were no identical proteins found in the ESR2 and ITGAM interaction networks from STRING. However, the protein signal transducer & activator transcription 3 (STAT3) was found in both the ESR2 and FGG interaction networks. STAT3 is weakly linked to FGG through co-mentions in primary literature. Even though the two proteins are weakly associated, it could be an interesting link between ITGAM, estrogen, SLE, and coronary heart disease.
After tracing the interaction networks step by step, I found the following proteins to be in a potential pathway:
GP1BA -- glycoprotein 1b (platelet)
ITGAM -- leukocyte receptor
F2 -- coagulation factor II, thrombin; converts fibrinogen to fibrin
ERS2 -- estrogen receptor
Src -- a tryosine kinase
STAT3 -- a signal transducer & activator transcription 3
FGG -- fibrinogen gamma chain
My proposed model for how these proteins could be involved in plaque formation in coronary heart disease in patients with SLE is on the Conclusions and Future Directions page.