Comprehensive Characterization of the Coding and Non-Coding Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Tumor Protein p63 (TP63) Gene Using In Silico Tools

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) help to understand the phenotypic variations in humans. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified SNPs located in the tumor protein 63 (TP63) locus to be associated with the genetic susceptibility of cancers. However, there is a lack of in-depth characterization of the structural and functional impacts of the SNPs located at the TP63 gene. The current study was designed for the comprehensive characterization of the coding and non-coding SNPs in the human TP63 gene for their functional and structural significance. The functional and structural effects of the SNPs were investigated using a wide variety of computational tools and approaches, including molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The deleterious impact of eight nonsynonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) affecting protein stability, structure, and functions was measured by using 13 bioinformatics tools. These eight nsSNPs are in highly conserved positions in protein and were predicted to decrease protein stability and have a deleterious impact on the TP63 protein function. Molecular docking analysis showed five nsSNPs to reduce the binding affinity of TP63 protein to DNA with significant results for three SNPs (R319H, G349E, and C347F). Further, MD simulations revealed the possible disruption of TP63 and DNA binding, hampering the essential protein function. PolymiRTS study found five non-coding SNPs in miRNA binding sites, and the GTEx portal recognized five eQTLs SNPs in single tissue of the lung, heart (LV), and cerebral hemisphere (brain). Characterized nsSNPs and non-coding SNPs will help researchers to focus on TP63 gene loci and ascertain their association with certain diseases.