Proteomics BIO431SB
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Contents
Definition
Involves the sequencing of amino acids in a protein, determining its three dimensional structure and relating it to the function of the protein.
he term "proteome" refers to the entire complement of proteins, including the modifications made to a particular set of proteins, produced by an organism or a cellular system. This will vary with time and distinct requirements, such as stresses, that a cell or organism undergoes. The term "proteomics" is a large-scale comprehensive study of a specific proteome, including information on protein abundances, their variations and modifications, along with their interacting partners and networks, in order to understand cellular processes.“Clinical proteomics” is a sub-discipline of proteomics that involves the application of proteomic technologies on clinical specimens such as blood. Cancer, in particular, is a model disease for applying such technologies to identify unique biosignatures and biomarkers responsible for the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic prediction of such disease. Biomarkers are biological molecules found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that are a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. They may also be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition.
Proteomics
Extensive data, generated through crystallography and NMR, are required for proteomic studies. With such data on known proteins, thestructureand itsrelationship to function of newly discovered proteins can beunderstood in a very short time. In such areas,bioinformaticshas an enormousanalytical and predictive potential .
It can help develop better understanding of how proteinsfold and interact with one another and with other biological molecules which in turn will give scientists and doctors better insight into diseases and ways to combat them.
Proteomics Approach
What is proteomics?
The word “proteome” is derived from PROTEins expressed by a genOME, and it refers to all the proteins produced by an organism, much like the genome is the entire set of genes. The human body may contain more than 2 million different proteins, each having different functions. As the main components of the physiological pathways of the cells, proteins serve vital functions in the body such as:
- catalyzing various biochemical reactions, e.g. enzymes;
- acting as messengers, e.g. neurotransmitters;
- acting as control elements that regulate cell reproduction;
- influencing growth and development of various tissues, e.g. trophic factors;
- transporting oxygen in the blood, e.g. hemoglobin; and
- defending the body against disease, e.g. antibodies.
What is the difference between proteomics and genomics?
Unlike the genome, which is relatively static, the proteome changes constantly in response to tens of thousands of intra- and extracellular environmental signals. The proteome varies with health or disease, the nature of each tissue, the stage of cell development, and effects of drug treatments. As such, the proteome often is defined as “the proteins present in one sample (tissue, organism, cell culture) at a certain point in time.”
In many ways, proteomics runs parallel to genomics: Genomics starts with the gene and makes inferences about its products (proteins), whereas proteomics begins with the functionally modified protein and works back to the gene responsible for its production.
The sequencing of the human genome has increased interest in proteomics because while DNA sequence information provides a static snapshot of the various ways in which the cell might use its proteins, the life of the cell is a dynamic process. This new data set holds great new promise for proteomic applications in science, medicine, and most notably – pharmaceuticals.
