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Credit: Lu Wei
By cataloging more than 18,000 proteins, scientists have produced an “almost-complete” inventory of the human proteome.
They discovered protein fragments encoded by DNA outside of currently known genes and found that many known genes have become non-functional.
They also described an important function for messenger RNA (mRNA) and showed that protein profiles could predict drug sensitivity.
The team reported their findings in Nature.
They also made the information freely available in ProteomicsDB. This database includes information on the types, distribution, and abundance of proteins in various cells, tissues, and body fluids.
Through their protein cataloguing, the researchers showed that each mRNA determines the number of protein copies to be produced by a cell. And this “copying key” is specific to each protein.
“It appears that every mRNA molecule knows the unit amount for its protein so it knows whether to produce 10, 100, or 1000 copies,” said study author Bernhard Küster, PhD, of Technische Universitaet Muenchen in Germany.
“Since we now know this ratio for a large number of proteins, we can infer protein abundance from mRNA abundance in just about every tissue, and vice versa.”
The researchers were also surprised to discover hundreds of protein fragments that are encoded by DNA outside of currently known genes. The team believes these “new” proteins may possess novel biological properties and functions that could be exploited for therapeutic purposes.
On the other hand, Dr Küster and his colleagues have been unable to locate roughly 2000 proteins that should exist, according to the gene map. The team also found evidence suggesting that many known genes have become non-functional.
“We might be watching evolution in action here,” Dr Küster said. “The human organism deactivates superfluous genes and tests new gene prototypes at the same time.”
That being the case, the researchers noted that it might never be possible to determine exactly how many proteins there are in the human body.
Lastly, Dr Küster and his colleagues confirmed the findings of previous studies, which showed that specific protein patterns can predict the efficacy of a given drug.
The team evaluated 24 cancer drugs and found their effectiveness against 35 cancer cell lines was strongly correlated with their protein profiles.
“This edges us a little bit closer to the individualized treatment of patients,” Dr Küster said. “If we knew the protein profile of a tumor in detail, we might be able to administer drugs in a more targeted way.” 
Credit: Lu Wei
By cataloging more than 18,000 proteins, scientists have produced an “almost-complete” inventory of the human proteome.
They discovered protein fragments encoded by DNA outside of currently known genes and found that many known genes have become non-functional.
They also described an important function for messenger RNA (mRNA) and showed that protein profiles could predict drug sensitivity.
The team reported their findings in Nature.
They also made the information freely available in ProteomicsDB. This database includes information on the types, distribution, and abundance of proteins in various cells, tissues, and body fluids.
Through their protein cataloguing, the researchers showed that each mRNA determines the number of protein copies to be produced by a cell. And this “copying key” is specific to each protein.
“It appears that every mRNA molecule knows the unit amount for its protein so it knows whether to produce 10, 100, or 1000 copies,” said study author Bernhard Küster, PhD, of Technische Universitaet Muenchen in Germany.
“Since we now know this ratio for a large number of proteins, we can infer protein abundance from mRNA abundance in just about every tissue, and vice versa.”
The researchers were also surprised to discover hundreds of protein fragments that are encoded by DNA outside of currently known genes. The team believes these “new” proteins may possess novel biological properties and functions that could be exploited for therapeutic purposes.
On the other hand, Dr Küster and his colleagues have been unable to locate roughly 2000 proteins that should exist, according to the gene map. The team also found evidence suggesting that many known genes have become non-functional.
“We might be watching evolution in action here,” Dr Küster said. “The human organism deactivates superfluous genes and tests new gene prototypes at the same time.”
That being the case, the researchers noted that it might never be possible to determine exactly how many proteins there are in the human body.
Lastly, Dr Küster and his colleagues confirmed the findings of previous studies, which showed that specific protein patterns can predict the efficacy of a given drug.
The team evaluated 24 cancer drugs and found their effectiveness against 35 cancer cell lines was strongly correlated with their protein profiles.
“This edges us a little bit closer to the individualized treatment of patients,” Dr Küster said. “If we knew the protein profile of a tumor in detail, we might be able to administer drugs in a more targeted way.”
Credit: Lu Wei
By cataloging more than 18,000 proteins, scientists have produced an “almost-complete” inventory of the human proteome.
They discovered protein fragments encoded by DNA outside of currently known genes and found that many known genes have become non-functional.
They also described an important function for messenger RNA (mRNA) and showed that protein profiles could predict drug sensitivity.
The team reported their findings in Nature.
They also made the information freely available in ProteomicsDB. This database includes information on the types, distribution, and abundance of proteins in various cells, tissues, and body fluids.
Through their protein cataloguing, the researchers showed that each mRNA determines the number of protein copies to be produced by a cell. And this “copying key” is specific to each protein.
“It appears that every mRNA molecule knows the unit amount for its protein so it knows whether to produce 10, 100, or 1000 copies,” said study author Bernhard Küster, PhD, of Technische Universitaet Muenchen in Germany.
“Since we now know this ratio for a large number of proteins, we can infer protein abundance from mRNA abundance in just about every tissue, and vice versa.”
The researchers were also surprised to discover hundreds of protein fragments that are encoded by DNA outside of currently known genes. The team believes these “new” proteins may possess novel biological properties and functions that could be exploited for therapeutic purposes.
On the other hand, Dr Küster and his colleagues have been unable to locate roughly 2000 proteins that should exist, according to the gene map. The team also found evidence suggesting that many known genes have become non-functional.
“We might be watching evolution in action here,” Dr Küster said. “The human organism deactivates superfluous genes and tests new gene prototypes at the same time.”
That being the case, the researchers noted that it might never be possible to determine exactly how many proteins there are in the human body.
Lastly, Dr Küster and his colleagues confirmed the findings of previous studies, which showed that specific protein patterns can predict the efficacy of a given drug.
The team evaluated 24 cancer drugs and found their effectiveness against 35 cancer cell lines was strongly correlated with their protein profiles.
“This edges us a little bit closer to the individualized treatment of patients,” Dr Küster said. “If we knew the protein profile of a tumor in detail, we might be able to administer drugs in a more targeted way.”