The world of proteomics has come a long way. Many scientists believe that we are on the cusp of a proteomic breakthrough.
But what exactly is proteomics? Whether you’re already working in the relevant industry or are planning to step into it, this guide can help. It rewinds the basics of proteomics, key techniques, evolving concepts, usage of reagent kits, and the latest developments.
Let’s take a closer look!
What is a Proteome?
The term “proteome” was coined by Australian PhD student Marc Wilkins in 1994. It is a blanket term referring to the collection of all proteins within a cell, organism, or biological sample under specific conditions. Think of a proteome as a functional output of the genome, unlike the stable genome itself.
The proteome tells scientists and researchers what proteins are present and active in a cell or an organism at the given moment. Remember that the proteome varies significantly between different cell types (such as liver vs. skin) and under different external conditions (such as stress, disease, or nutrition). This is why a detailed study is required to unpack the functions, processes, and responses happening within that organism or tissue.
Look at it this way: The proteome of a cancer cell will differ from that of a healthy cell, highlighting proteins involved in the growth of a tumor or mass. The proteome helps us understand how genes are translated into the working parts of the body.
What is Proteomics?
Just as genomics is the study of all genes in an organism, proteomics is the study of all proteins expressed in our bodies. Proteomics is about studying how different proteins react inside an organism and the roles they play.
While protein expression can be studied through mRNA expression, there are certain limitations. For instance, the study of mRNA does not consider protein posttranslational modifications, cleavage, complex formation, and localization. This is why proteomics as a separate field of study matters.
What is Spatial Proteomics
Alongside proteomics, there is an important concept worth discussing. Spatial proteomics studies the precise location, quantity, and interaction of proteins within cells and tissues inside an organism.
Think of it as a way to map out the proteome’s geography. Scientists can locate exactly where proteins reside (be it organelles or membranes) and how they move. This helps them gather deeper insights into cellular processes.
Here are three reasons spatial proteomics is critical to the scientific world:
Understanding cellular functions
As is widely known, proteins perform specific functions in specific locations, such as the mitochondria or nuclei. Spatial proteomics helps researchers pinpoint these locations in different cells and tissues. The result? Ability to decipher organelle function.
Understanding disease states
Spatial proteomics can help scientists understand disease states such as cancer and neurological disorders. It also helps unpack how a disease like Alzheimer’s disrupts normal cellular architecture and function.
Possibility of high-resolution, high-throughput analysis
There are numerous modern techniques that allow simultaneous detection of thousands of proteins inside a cell. Researchers can perform high-resolution, high-throughput analysis.
Key Proteomics Techniques
Here’s a closer look at key proteomics techniques:
Protein separation methods
This involves detecting and separating specific proteins. There are two common methods: gel electrophoresis and chromatography. Gel electrophoresis sorts proteins by size and charge, whereas chromatography separates proteins based on chemical properties.
Mass spectrometry proteomics
This involves breaking proteins into smaller fragments called peptides. These broken particles are entered into a mass spectrometer. Scientists then use specialized software to enter these patterns into databases for protein identification.
Single-cell proteomics
It is the study of proteins at a single-cell level. This helps capture variations that bulk analysis might have missed.
What are Proteomic Reagent Kits?
One key method for studying proteins within an organism is using reagent kits. These are pre-packaged chemical mixtures or commercially available materials used in clinical and biotechnological settings.
Proteomic reagent kits are used in laboratories where protein analysis is central to research and other academic activities. These kits can process a variety of biological samples from:
- Cells and tissues
- Bodily fluids
- Purified proteins
- Protein complexes
Advanced reagent kits are bringing nanoscopic precision to proteomics. As a result, they have become useful for institutions working on specific research areas, such as:
- Cancer research
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Infectious diseases
- Systems biology
- Biomarker discovery
- Drug discovery
- Food science
Commercially available reagent kits standardize the proteomics workflow. The process becomes much more streamlined and efficient when protein data is extracted within its true spatial context. This ensures reduced downtime and higher productivity.
Moving Forward
The fields of biomedical sciences and functional genomics are expecting advances in proteomic techniques. New and improved ways for proteomic data analysis are being created. Moreover, the inclusion of technological tools, such as cloud computing and workflow systems, has further revolutionized proteomics.
