Tubulin isoforms identified in the brain by MALDI in-source decay

in Journal of Proteomics (2012)

Identification of biomarkers is a major issue for enhancement of chemotherapies. The molecular characterization of tissues necessitates the identification of thousands of biomolecules each participating ... [more ▼]

Identification of biomarkers is a major issue for enhancement of chemotherapies. The molecular characterization of tissues necessitates the identification of thousands of biomolecules each participating in physiopathological processes. MALDI in-source decay (ISD) fragmentation has already been proven to be effective for protein characterization. However, the difficulty to identify proteins from complex mixtures such as tissue sections can limit the applications of this technique. In this study, we evidenced that tubulin has an unusual fragmentation pathway in the MALDI source. This striking property allowed the detecting of several mouse brain tubulin isotypes simultaneously by simply using laser fragmentation. Tubulin isoforms are consistent markers of a bad prognosis of solid tumors and could be the target of targeted chemotherapies. Such a direct molecular printout of tubulin in tissues is a milestone that should be useful either at preclinical or clinical stage. [less ▲]

Tyrosine-dependent capture of CAP-Gly domain‐containing proteins in complex mixture by EB1 C-terminal peptidic probes

in Journal of Proteomics (2012), 75

Microtubule dynamics is regulated by an array of microtubule associated proteins of which the microtubule plus-end tracking proteins (+TIPs) are prominent examples. +TIPs form dynamic interaction networks ... [more ▼]

Microtubule dynamics is regulated by an array of microtubule associated proteins of which the microtubule plus-end tracking proteins (+TIPs) are prominent examples. +TIPs form dynamic interaction networks at growing microtubule ends in an EB1-dependent manner. The interaction between the C-terminal domain of EB1 and the CAP-Gly domains of the +TIP CLIP-170 depends on the last tyrosine residue of EB1. In the present study, we generated peptidic probes corresponding to the C-terminal tail of EB1 to affinity-capture binding partners from cell lysates. Using an MS-based approach, we showed that the last 15 amino-acid residues of EB1, either free or immobilized on beads, bound recombinant CAP-Gly domains of CLIP-170. We further demonstrate that this binding was prevented when the C-terminal tyrosine of EB1 was absent in the peptidic probes. Western blotting in combination with a label-free quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that the peptidic probe harboring the C-terminal tyrosine of EB1 effectively pulled-down proteins with CAP-Gly domains from endothelial cell extracts. Additional proteins known to interact directly or indirectly with EB1 and the microtubule cytoskeletonwere also identified. Our peptidic probes represent valuable tools to detect changes induced in EB1-dependent +TIP networks by external cues such as growth factors and small molecules. [less ▲]

Novel post-digest isotope coded protein labeling method for phospho- and glycoproteome analysis

in Journal of Proteomics (2010), 73(10), 1986-2005

In the field of proteomics there is an apparent lack of reliable methodology for quantification of posttranslational modifications. Present study offers a novel post-digest ICPL quantification strategy ... [more ▼]

In the field of proteomics there is an apparent lack of reliable methodology for quantification of posttranslational modifications. Present study offers a novel post-digest ICPL quantification strategy directed towards characterization of phosphorylated and glycosylated proteins. The value of the method is demonstrated based on the comparison of two prostate related metastatic cell lines originating from two distinct metastasis sites (PC3 and LNCaP). The method consists of protein digestion, ICPL labeling, mixing of the samples, PTM enrichment and MS-analysis. Phosphorylated peptides were isolated using TiO(2), whereas the enrichment of glycosylated peptides was performed using hydrazide based chemistry. Isolated PTM peptides were analyzed along with non enriched sample using 2D-(SCX-RP)-Nano-HPLC-MS/MS instrumentation. Taken together the novel ICPL labeling method offered a significant improvement of the number of identified (∼600 individual proteins) and quantified proteins (>95%) in comparison to the classical ICPL method. The results were validated using alternative protein quantification strategies as well as label-free MS quantification method. On the biological level, the comparison of PC3 and LNCaP cells has shown specific modulation of proteins implicated in the fundamental process related to metastasis dissemination. Finally, a preliminary study involving clinically relevant autopsy cases reiterated the potential biological value of the discovered proteins. [less ▲]

Proteomic and enzymatic response of poplar to cadmium stress

in Journal of Proteomics (2009), 72