Screening of Mycobacterium tuberculosis genes as putative drug targets for treatment of HIV-TB and lung cancer-TB comorbidities: An in silico analysis

This study focuses on insilico analysis to understand the mechanism between tuberculosis (TB) associated comorbidities such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and lung cancer. Initially, gene expression studies of samples associated with HIV-TB and lung cancer-TB were analyzed and differentially expressed genes were identified. Further, gene networks for the up-regulated genes were constructed and the functionally associated genes were identified. Functional enrichment analysis was also performed for the genes associated. Differentially- regulated genes could be possible drug targets for treatment of TB associated comorbidities. In this regards, Rv2949c which was found to be highly expressed in HIV patients with TB and it could be a candidate drug target for treatment of patients with HIV comorbidity. Similarly, pgsA1 is highly expressed in lung cancer patients with TB, is a candidate drug target for treatment of patients with lung cancer comorbidity. Suitable inhibitors for Rv2949c and pgsA1 have been found through molecular docking studies. Thus the insights gained through this study will be helpful in designing suitable drug candidates for treatment of TB related comorbidities.