Subtractive genome analysis for in silico identification and characterization of novel drug targets in c. trachomatis strain d/uw-3/cx

Studies based on subtractive genomics approach could facilitate the selection, processing and development of strain-specific drugs against various pathogens. The current study based on complete proteome information of Chlamydia trachomatis strain D/UW-3/Cx (ocular-urogenital pathogen of human) revealed 623 proteins; which were non-homologous to human genome. Subjecting this set of non homologous proteins against the Database of Essential Genes 203 proteins were screened out as essential proteins of the C. trachomatis. Among 203 proteins; around 39 essential proteins were found to be part of membrane of pathogen using PSORT tool at Expasy server. All the non homologous essential genes were characterized for differential metabolic pathways using the KEGG Automated Annotation Server and 182 proteins were found to be involved in major metabolic pathway of bacterium. The 12 hypothetical essential proteins were functionally annotated through SVMProt server. Druggability of each of the identified drug targets was also evaluated by the DrugBank database. Moreover, metabolic pathway analysis of the identified druggable essential proteins also revealed 7 proteins that participate in unique pathways of C. trachomatis strain D. Enzymes from Peptidoglycan and Riboflavin biosynthesis were identified as attractive candidates for drug development.