Back

Computational Transformation of Chemical Biology for Precision Therapeutics: Facilitating In-Silico Study of Role of Cuproptosis in Early Detection of Alzheimers Disease

Singh, P.; Rath, S. L.

2026-05-21 health informatics
10.64898/2026.05.18.26353543 medRxiv
Show abstract

Background: Alzheimers disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder in which copper dyshomeostasis, mitochondrial stress, oxidative injury and immune dysregulation may contribute to pathogenesis. Cuproptosis, a copper-triggered regulated cell death pathway, has emerged as a potential mechanistic link to AD, but its therapeutic and biomarker implications remain incompletely defined. Methods: We integrated transcriptomic, machine learning, immune infiltration, QSFR, molecular docking, docking validation and ADME analyses using GEO blood- and brain-based AD cohorts. Differentially expressed genes were intersected with curated cuproptosis-related genes, followed by pathway enrichment, construction and validation of a hybrid ensemble classifier, CIBERSORT-based immune correlation analysis, QSFR-driven target prioritization, ligand docking, consensus docking validation and SwissADME profiling. Results: The transcriptomic analyses revealed reproducible AD associated signatures enriched in neurodegenerative, oxidative stress, mitochondrial and inflammatory pathways. Across multiple machine learning models, FDX1, PDHB, PDHA1, DLAT and DLD consistently emerged as the most important cuproptosis-related genes, with the hybrid ensemble achieving the best diagnostic performance. Immune profiling suggested that these genes are linked to distinct immune infiltration patterns. QSFR and docking prioritized FDX1 as a key target and Clioquinol, PBT2 and Ebselen showed the strongest and most consistent binding behavior. Docking validation confirmed reliable pose reproduction and enrichment over decoys, while ADME analysis supported Clioquinol, PBT2 and Ebselen as the most balanced candidates for further consideration. Conclusion: This integrated workflow identifies a cuproptosis-centered mitochondrial gene module as a robust AD signature and highlights Clioquinol, PBT2 and Ebselen as promising repurposing candidates. The findings provide a prioritized computational framework for future experimental validation of copper-linked therapeutic strategies in AD.

Matching journals

The top 9 journals account for 50% of the predicted probability mass.

1
The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease
13 papers in training set
Top 0.1%
15.7%
2
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
50 papers in training set
Top 0.2%
6.5%
3
Scientific Reports
3612 papers in training set
Top 14%
5.8%
4
eBioMedicine
183 papers in training set
Top 0.4%
5.1%
5
Environmental Research
49 papers in training set
Top 0.2%
5.1%
6
Alzheimer's & Dementia
163 papers in training set
Top 1%
3.6%
7
PLOS ONE
5266 papers in training set
Top 36%
3.4%
8
Alzheimer's Research & Therapy
57 papers in training set
Top 0.6%
2.9%
9
Frontiers in Pharmacology
111 papers in training set
Top 0.9%
2.5%
50% of probability mass above
10
Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions
17 papers in training set
Top 0.1%
2.5%
11
Alzheimer's & Dementia
14 papers in training set
Top 0.1%
2.2%
12
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
74 papers in training set
Top 0.6%
2.2%
13
Frontiers in Digital Health
24 papers in training set
Top 0.6%
2.2%
14
Biogerontology
10 papers in training set
Top 0.1%
2.0%
15
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
494 papers in training set
Top 6%
2.0%
16
Informatics in Medicine Unlocked
22 papers in training set
Top 0.6%
1.6%
17
Neurobiology of Aging
107 papers in training set
Top 1.0%
1.6%
18
Advanced Science
286 papers in training set
Top 6%
1.4%
19
Acta Neuropsychiatrica
14 papers in training set
Top 0.3%
1.2%
20
Molecular Psychiatry
282 papers in training set
Top 4%
1.2%
21
Computers in Biology and Medicine
128 papers in training set
Top 3%
1.2%
22
GeroScience
109 papers in training set
Top 1%
1.2%
23
Frontiers in Microbiology
427 papers in training set
Top 6%
1.2%
24
Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
242 papers in training set
Top 4%
1.2%
25
Advanced Biology
29 papers in training set
Top 0.7%
0.9%
26
Nature Communications
5641 papers in training set
Top 55%
0.9%
27
Briefings in Bioinformatics
354 papers in training set
Top 7%
0.9%
28
Neurobiology of Disease
148 papers in training set
Top 3%
0.9%
29
Communications Medicine
113 papers in training set
Top 4%
0.9%
30
iScience
1154 papers in training set
Top 33%
0.9%