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Published on: June 21, 2021
Thiol-based redox proteomics in cancer research
Kefei Yuan1, Yuan Liu, Hai-Ning Chen
1The State Key Laboratory for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Cancer cells maintain their intracellular ROS concentrations at required levels for their survival. Changes in ROS concentrations can regulate biochemical signaling mechanisms that control cell function. It has been demonstrated that ROS regulate the cellular events through redox regulation of redox-sensitive proteins (redox sensors). Upon oxidative stress, redox sensors undergo redox modifications that cause the allosteric changes of these proteins and endow them with different functions. Understanding the altered functions of redox sensors and the underlying mechanisms is critical for the development of novel cancer therapeutics. Recently, a series of high-throughput proteomics approaches have been developed for screening redox processes. In this manuscript, we review these methodologies and discuss the important redox sensors recently identified that are related to cancer.
Insights
Cancer cells rely on reactive oxygen species (ROS) for survival, with altered ROS levels impacting cell signaling. Understanding redox-sensitive proteins is key for developing new cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Proteomics
Background:
- Cancer cells meticulously control intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations essential for their survival and proliferation.
- ROS act as critical signaling molecules, regulating cellular functions through the redox modification of specific proteins known as redox sensors.
- Oxidative stress induces redox modifications in these sensors, altering their allosteric structure and biological functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent high-throughput proteomics methodologies for screening redox processes.
- To discuss key redox sensors implicated in cancer development and progression.
- To highlight the importance of understanding altered redox sensor functions for novel cancer therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of recently developed high-throughput proteomics approaches.
- Analysis of literature on redox-sensitive proteins and their roles in cancer.
- Identification and discussion of significant redox sensors involved in cancer biology.
Main Results:
- High-throughput proteomics offers powerful tools for investigating complex redox signaling pathways.
- Several critical redox sensors have been identified as potential targets in cancer.
- Understanding the functional alterations of these sensors under oxidative stress provides insights into cancer mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Elucidating the mechanisms of redox sensor regulation in cancer is crucial for advancing therapeutic interventions.
- Proteomics-based screening methods are instrumental in identifying and characterizing novel cancer-related redox players.
- Targeting altered redox sensor functions represents a promising avenue for developing innovative cancer treatments.
