Nicotine affects pancreatic cell proteomics across species

While the genome represents a static moiety, the proteome is more dynamic and can change in response to stimuli. As such, proteomics may reveal the effect of various drugs on cellular mechanisms. Protein alterations upon exogenous perturbations are vital in outlining species-to-species differences that cannot otherwise be measured quantitatively. Specifically, nicotine has been shown to be an independent risk factor for a multitude of diseases. In pancreatic research its mechanism of action remains unresolved. The pioneering work of Paulo et al. (Proteomics 2013, 13, 1499-1512) is a major step toward understanding the role of nicotine, a principal toxin in cigarette smoke, in pancreatic disease. Equally important, Paulo et al. examine the effect of nicotine on stellate cells across three species, demonstrating the importance of identifying species-specific effects in translational research.