Interaction Proteomics Become More Accessible
Researchers introduce an optimized and integrated interaction proteomics protocol to allow rapid identification of protein-protein interactions and more
Proteins in human cells do not function in isolation and their interactions with other proteins define their cellular functions. Therefore, detailed understanding of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is the key for deciphering regulation of cellular networks and pathways, in both health and disease.
In a study published in the of September issue (advanced online Aug. 10) of Nature Protocols, a research team led by research director Markku Varjosalo from the Institute of biotechnology & HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, introduces an optimized and integrated interaction proteomics protocol (named MAC-tag technology). The protocol combines two state-of-the art methods affinity purification—mass spectrometry (AP-MS) and proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID to allow rapid identification of protein-protein interactions, and more.
The MAC-tag technology allows an easy way to probe the molecular level localization of protein of interest (an accompanying online resource of MS microscopy is available at http://www.
"The MAC-tag technology stems from long-term efforts on developing new systems biology tools for systematically studying the molecular interactions of proteins. The identification of protein-protein interactions and their changes in disease settings, such as cancer, has proven in our hands a powerful tool and has allowed us to find exact molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases. In principle, our protocol can be used in so many different ways that we probably have not even envisioned half of them," Varjosalo states.
The MAC-tag technology is currently in use by Varjosalo and his consortia of virologists, medicinal chemists, and other 'omics' researchers in the search for novel druggable host proteins as therapeutic targets to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 infection and therefore to fight COVID-19.
- This press release was originally published on the University of Helsinki website