Review Article

Proteomic Approaches in Understanding Action Mechanisms of Metal-Based Anticancer Drugs

Table 1

Major technological platforms in proteomics.

Technique2DE (Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis)SELDI-TOF MSICAT (Isotope-coded affinity tags)IMAC (Immobilized metal affinity chromatography)

Principles2DE separates protein mixtures by their isoelectric points and molecular weights, proteins can be identified by MALDI-TOF MS through enzyme digestionThis technique employs protein chip separates protein mixtures by different surface binding affinity and molecular weights, and roughly identifies proteins through SELDI-TOF MSICAT separates proteins by chemical labeling and relative abundance, and then obtains protein identification through ESI MS/MSIMAC is a powerful protein fractionation method used to enrich metal-associated proteins and peptides, proteins and peptides can be determined by ESI MS/MS

RemarksSuitable for whole proteome or specific pre-fractioned proteomes, detect large quantity of proteins in a single run, not suitable for low abundant proteins, affected by posttranslational modificationsSimple preparation procedures, sensitive detection limit, small sample requirement, significant results, wide detection range in molecular weight, modified by different surface affinitiesBiotinylated tags labeling before analysis; suitable for low abundant proteins; not suitable for post translational modified proteins; more automatedEnrich metal-associated proteins and peptides, easy regeneration, longevity and stability to proteolytic degradation, have to be facilitated by other separation methods, suitable for posttranslational modification

Potential applicationsStudy drug-induced cellular signaling pathway in a global scale [35, 69] Identification of drug targets [70]
Identification of drug targets [70] Screen drug candidates [72, 73] Receptome profiling [75, 76]Mapping of phosphoproteomes [77, 78] and metalloproteomes [79, 80]
Study of drug toxicity and side effects [71]Study of protein-drug interactions [74]