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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Quantitative Mass Spectrometric Profiling of Cancer-cell Proteomes Derived From Liquid and Solid Tumors
Published on: February 27, 2015
Microproteins unveiling new dimensions in cancer
S Daisy Precilla1, Indrani Biswas2, T S Anitha3
1Mahatma Gandhi Medical Advanced Research Institute (MGMARI), Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry, 607 402, India. daisyprecilla@mgmari.sbvu.ac.in.
Abstract:
In the complex landscape of cancer biology, the discovery of microproteins has triggered a paradigm shift, thereby, challenging the conventional conceptions of gene regulation. Though overlooked for years, these entities encoded by the small open reading frames (100-150 codons), have a significant impact on various cellular processes. As precision medicine pioneers delve deeper into the genome and proteome, microproteins have come into the limelight. Typically characterized by a single protein domain that directly binds to the target protein complex and regulates their assembly, these microproteins have been shown to play a key role in fundamental biological processes such as RNA processing, DNA repair, and metabolism regulation. Techniques for identification and characterization, such as ribosome profiling and proteogenomic approaches, have unraveled unique mechanisms by which these microproteins regulate cell signaling or pathological processes in most diseases including cancer. However, the functional relevance of these microproteins in cancer remains unclear. In this context, the current review aims to "rethink the essence of these genes" and explore "how these hidden players-microproteins orchestrate the signaling cascades of cancer, both as accelerators and brakes.".
Insights
Microproteins, encoded by small gene regions, are newly recognized regulators of cellular processes. This review explores their complex roles in cancer signaling, acting as both accelerators and brakes in disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Oncology
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Microproteins, encoded by small open reading frames (100-150 codons), are emerging as critical regulators challenging traditional gene expression views.
- These small proteins, often with a single functional domain, influence fundamental cellular activities including RNA processing, DNA repair, and metabolism.
- Their significance in cellular processes is increasingly recognized with advancements in genomic and proteomic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the fundamental role of microprotein-encoding genes in biological systems.
- To investigate the mechanisms by which microproteins influence cancer signaling pathways.
- To elucidate the dual role of microproteins as both promoters and inhibitors in cancer development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ribosome profiling and proteogenomic approaches for microprotein identification and characterization.
- Reviewed existing literature on microprotein function in cellular signaling and disease.
- Analyzed the impact of microproteins on cancer-related signaling cascades.
Main Results:
- Microproteins have been identified as key regulators of fundamental biological processes.
- Specific microproteins demonstrate the ability to modulate cell signaling pathways relevant to cancer.
- Evidence suggests microproteins can act as both accelerators and brakes in cancer progression.
Conclusions:
- Microproteins represent a significant, previously overlooked, class of regulatory molecules in cellular function.
- Understanding microprotein involvement in cancer is crucial for advancing precision medicine.
- Further research into microprotein functions is warranted to fully elucidate their therapeutic potential in oncology.
