Proteomics and the dynamic plasma membrane: Quo Vadis?

Quo Vadis: where are you going? Advances in MS-based proteomics have enabled research to move from obtaining the basic protein inventory of cells and organelles to the ability of monitoring their dynamics, including changes in abundance, location and various PTMs. In this respect, the cellular plasma membrane is of particular interest, by not only serving as a barrier between the "cell interior" and the external environment, but moreover by organizing and clustering essential components to enable dynamic responses to internal and external stimuli. Defining and characterizing the dynamic plasma membrane proteome is crucial for understanding fundamental biological processes, disease mechanisms and for finding drug targets. Protein identification, characterization of dynamic PTMs and protein-ligand interactions, and determination of transient changes in protein expression and composition are among the challenges in functional proteomic studies of the plasma membrane. We review the recent progress in MS-based plasma membrane proteomics by presenting key examples from eukaryotic systems, including mammals, yeast and plants. We highlight the importance of enrichment and quantification technologies required for detailed functional and comparative analysis of the dynamic plasma membrane proteome.

Proteins in ecotoxicology - how, why and why not?

The growing interest in the application of proteomic technologies to solve toxicology issues and its relevance in ecotoxicology research has resulted in the emergence of "ecotoxicoproteomics". There is a general consensus that ecotoxicoproteomics is a powerful tool to spot early molecular events involved in toxicant responses, which are responsible for the adverse effects observed at higher levels of biological organization, thus contributing to elucidate the mode of action of stressors and to identify specific biomarkers. Ultimately, early-warning indicators can then be developed and deployed in "in situ" bioassays and in environmental risk assessment. The number of field experiments or laboratory trials using ecologically relevant test-species and involving proteomics has been, until recently, insufficient to allow a critical analysis of the real benefits of the application of this approach to ecotoxicology. This article intends to present an overview on the applications of proteomics in the context of ecotoxicology, focusing mainly on the prospective research to be done in invertebrates. Although these represent around 95% of all animal species and in spite of the key structural and functional roles they play in ecosystems, proteomic research in invertebrates is still in an incipient stage. We will review applications of ecotoxicoproteomics by evaluating the technical methods employed, the organisms and the contexts studied, the advances achieved until now and lastly the limitations yet to overcome will be discussed.

Quantitative proteomic analysis of Sulfolobus solfataricus membrane proteins

A quantitative proteomic analysis of the membrane of the archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 using iTRAQ was successfully demonstrated in this technical note. The estimated number of membrane proteins of this organism is 883 (predicted based on Gravy score), corresponding to 30% of the total number of proteins. Using a modified iTRAQ protocol for membrane protein analysis, of the 284 proteins detected, 246 proteins were identified as membrane proteins, while using an original iTRAQ protocol, 147 proteins were detected with only 133 proteins being identified as membrane proteins. Furthermore, 97.2% of proteins identified in the modified protocol contained more than 2 distinct peptides compared to the original workflow. The successful application of this modified protocol offers a potential technique for quantitatively analyzing membrane-associated proteomes of organisms in the archaeal kingdom. The combination of 3 different iTRAQ experiments resulted in the detection of 395 proteins (>or=2 distinct peptides) of which 373 had predicted membrane properties. Approximately 20% of the quantified proteins were observed to exhibit >or=1.5-fold differential expression at temperatures well below the optimum for growth.

Inhibitory activity of blasticidin A, a strong aflatoxin production inhibitor, on protein synthesis of yeast: selective inhibition of aflatoxin production by protein synthesis inhibitors

Blasticidin A (BcA), an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces, inhibits aflatoxin production without strong growth inhibition toward aflatoxin-producing fungi. During the course of our study on the mode of action of BcA by two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), we found a decrease in the abundances of ribosomal proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae after exposure to BcA. This phenomenon was also observed by treatment with blasticidin S (BcS) or cycloheximide. BcA inhibited protein synthesis in a galactose-induced expression system in S. cerevisiae similar to BcS and cycloheximide. BcS, but not cycloheximide, inhibited aflatoxin production in Aspergillus parasiticus without inhibition of fungal growth, similar to BcA. A decrease in the abundances of aflatoxin biosynthetic enzymes was observed in 2D-DIGE experiments with Aspergillus flavus after exposure to BcA or BcS. These results suggested that protein synthesis inhibitors are useful to control aflatoxin production.

Environmental proteomics: applications of proteome profiling in environmental microbiology and biotechnology

In this review, we present the use of proteomics to advance knowledge in the field of environmental biotechnology, including studies of bacterial physiology, metabolism and ecology. Bacteria are widely applied in environmental biotechnology for their ability to catalyze dehalogenation, methanogenesis, denitrification and sulfate reduction, among others. Their tolerance to radiation and toxic compounds is also of importance. Proteomics has an important role in helping uncover the pathways behind these cellular processes. Environmental samples are often highly complex, which makes proteome studies in this field especially challenging. Some of these challenges are the lack of genome sequences for the vast majority of environmental bacteria, difficulties in isolating bacteria and proteins from certain environments, and the presence of complex microbial communities. Despite these challenges, proteomics offers a unique dynamic view into cellular function. We present examples of environmental proteomics of model organisms, and then discuss metaproteomics (microbial community proteomics), which has the potential to provide insights into the function of a community without isolating organisms. Finally, the environmental proteomics literature is summarized as it pertains to the specific application areas of wastewater treatment, metabolic engineering, microbial ecology and environmental stress responses.

MEMS and the microbe

In recent years, relatively simple MEMS fabrications have helped accelerate our knowledge of the microbial cell. Current progress and challenges in the application of lab-on-a-chip devices to the viable microbe are reviewed. Furthermore, the degree to which microbiologists are becoming the engineers and are tailoring microbial cells and protocells as potential components for bioMEMS devices is highlighted. We conclude this is a highly productive time for microbiologists and microengineers to unite their shared interest in the micron scale world.

Quantitative proteomics as a new piece of the systems biology puzzle

The definition of the role of each gene product in its cellular context is of outstanding importance in the post-genomics era. Recent technological innovations have driven research in proteomics from single protein characterization to global approaches, aiming to achieve a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative description of complex molecular mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the methodology of quantitative proteomics as it applies to the analysis of complex biological model systems. A special attention will be given to model systems that are suitable for functional genomic studies, where the potential of quantitative proteomics can be effectively demonstrated.