Toxicoproteomics |
The application of global protein measurement technologies to toxicology research. |
Aims |
Discovery of |
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• Mechanistic insights by identifying key modified proteins in acute chemical and drug-induced injury and as contributors to long-term development of disease. |
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• Biomarker and toxicity signature development to better describe and measure toxicity. |
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• Systems biology approach to toxicity by placing altered proteins in affected pathways, biochemical systems and signalling networks. |
Biomarker |
Singular measure of a protein, enzyme activity, or small molecule associated with health, disease or toxicity in a biological sample. |
Toxicity Signature |
Distinct set of expressed proteins, or genes, that distinguish between health or toxicity in a sample; requires validation and can be generalized to causal or relevant biological processes. |
Tier I Analysis |
Tier I analysis in toxicoproteomics is protein profiling to identify and quantify proteins in a specific spatial location. |
Tier II Analysis |
Tier II analysis globally screens protein structural and behavioural properties such as functions, interactions, 3-dimensional structure or post-translational modifications. |
Plasma Proteome |
Soluble protein fraction of blood that suspends red blood cells, leucocytes and platelets. Serum proteome represents those soluble proteins remaining after clot formation. |
Microparticles |
Intact vesicles (ectosomes) derived from cell membranes of 0.2−2μM in size that are found in blood. |
Protein Adductome |
Set of proteins with residues or chemical groups that are capable of `adduct' formation (covalent binding) by small foreign molecules such as drugs or chemicals. |
Idiosyncratic Toxicity |
Unexpected and relatively rare host responses to therapeutic treatment or chemical exposure of unknown mechanism. |