Abstract
Previous studies showed that prolonged exposure to fluoride (F-) and aluminum (Al3+) ions is associated with numerous diseases including neurological disorders. They don't have any known biological function. But they can bind with proteins that interact with ions similar to them. Such unwanted interactions affect the normal biological function of the target proteins, as well as their downstream protein-protein interactions. Several studies show the detrimental effects posed by them including Alzheimer's disease. However, their target proteins have never been reported. Here, we have screened for the human protein targets subjected to F- and Al3+ interactions by using data-driven prediction tools. We have identified 20 different proteins that directly bind with them (10 interact with fluoride and 10 with aluminum). In addition, protein-protein interaction has been explored to find the proteins that indirectly interact with F- and Al3+. We have found 86 indirect targets for F- and 90 for Al3+. Furthermore, 19 common protein targets have been identified, including proteins (9 out of 19) associated with neurodegenerative disorders. However, wet lab experiments are beyond our scopes to validate the binding networks. Additional studies must be warranted.
Highlights
Fluorine (F) and aluminum (Al) are widely used in additives
Pathway detection: Through the Blast 2 Gene ontology (GO) software, we executed a series of steps for a list of target protein sequences of fluoride and aluminum, including protein Blast, mapping, and scanning motifs by Inter Pro Scan
The Gene Ontology (GO) has been performed to annotate the biological processes, molecular function, and cellular component for all the proteins found by the STITCH 5.0 and STRING 10.5 (Figure 2-4), and for 19 common proteins detected by the Venny web server (Figure 6)
Summary
Fluorine (F) and aluminum (Al) are widely used in additives. Fluorine commonly appears as fluoride ion (F-) that reacts with other positively charged cations [1]. Fluorosilicic acid or sodium fluorosilicate, and sodium mono fluorophosphate are the common compounds of fluoride being utilized. Humans are exposed to sodium fluoride (NaF) from different sources including water, medicines, dental restorative materials, dental products (toothpaste and mouth rinses), pediatric supplements, beverages prepared with fluoridated water [2], tea, tobacco, pan masala (with tobacco and without tobacco) [3], and residues of pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers [3]. Fluoride toothpaste is the most common source of fluoride ingestion into the human body. Research shows that 10% kids swallow toothpaste more than twofold the normal amount while brush their teeth [47]
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