title: A systems biology-led insight into the role of the proteome in neurodegenerative diseases.
abstract: Multifactorial disorders are the result of nonlinear interactions of several factors; therefore, a reductionist approach does not appear to be appropriate. Proteomics is a global approach that can be efficiently used to investigate pathogenetic mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.
  
  
  
  Here, we report a general introduction about the systems biology approach and mechanistic insights recently obtained by over-representation analysis of proteomics data of cellular and animal models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, as well as of affected human tissues. Expert commentary: As an inductive method, proteomics is based on unbiased observations that further require validation of generated hypotheses. Pathway databases and over-representation analysis tools allow researchers to assign an expectation value to pathogenetic mechanisms linked to neurodegenerative diseases. The systems biology approach based on omics data may be the key to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Science and High Technology and Center of Neuroscience , University of Insubria , Busto Arsizio , Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fasano
authors.affiliation: a Department of Science and High Technology and Center of Neuroscience , University of Insubria , Busto Arsizio , Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Monti
authors.affiliation: a Department of Science and High Technology and Center of Neuroscience , University of Insubria , Busto Arsizio , Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alberio
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D020543:Proteome / Q000235:genetics*; D040901:Proteomics; D049490:Systems Biology
chemical_list: D020543:Proteome
keywords: Systems biology; neurodegeneration; over-representation analysis; pathway analysis; protein networks