Background:The ␣-hemoglobin-derived peptide RVDPVNFKLLSH was found to interact with cannabinoid CB 1 receptors. Results: We generated mAbs against RVDPVNFKLLSH and identified a new family of endogenous peptides (Pepcans) that act as negative allosteric modulators at CB 1 receptors. Conclusion: Allosteric ligands for CB 1 receptors are present in the brain. Significance: Pepcans are a novel class of endogenous modulators of endocannabinoid signaling.
Nanobodies are highly valuable tools for numerous bioanalytical and biotechnical applications. Here, we report the characterization of a nanobody that binds a short peptide epitope with extraordinary affinity. Structural analysis reveals an unusual binding mode where the extended peptide becomes part of a β-sheet structure in the nanobody. This interaction relies on sequence-independent backbone interactions augmented by a small number of specificity-determining side chain contacts. Once bound, the peptide is fastened by two nanobody side chains that clamp it in a headlock fashion. Exploiting this unusual binding mode, we generated a novel nanobody-derived capture and detection system. Matrix-coupled nanobody enables the fast and efficient isolation of epitope-tagged proteins from prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems. Additionally, the fluorescently labeled nanobody visualizes subcellular structures in different cellular compartments. The high-affinity-binding and modifiable peptide tag of this system renders it a versatile and robust tool to combine biochemical analysis with microscopic studies.
Many different methods are used for mass-spectrometry-based protein quantification in pharmacokinetics and systems pharmacology. It has not been established to what extent the results from these various methods are comparable. Here, we compared six different mass spectrometry-based proteomics methods by measuring the expression of clinically relevant drug transporters and metabolizing enzymes in human liver. Mean protein concentrations were in general quantified to similar levels by methods using whole tissue lysates. Methods using subcellular membrane fractionation gave incomplete enrichment of the proteins. When the enriched proteins were adjusted to levels in whole tissue lysates, they were on average 4-fold lower than those quantified directly in whole tissue lysates. The differences in protein levels were propagated into differences in predictions of hepatic clearance. In conclusion, caution is needed when comparing and applying quantitative proteomics data obtained with different methods, especially since membrane fractionation is common practice for protein quantification used in drug clearance predictions.
Dissecting cellular signalling requires the analysis of large number of proteins. The DigiWest approach we describe here transfers the western blot to a bead-based microarray platform. By combining gel-based protein separation with immobilization on microspheres, hundreds of replicas of the initial blot are created, thus enabling the comprehensive analysis of limited material, such as cells collected by laser capture microdissection, and extending traditional western blotting to reach proteomic scales. The combination of molecular weight resolution, sensitivity and signal linearity on an automated platform enables the rapid quantification of hundreds of specific proteins and protein modifications in complex samples. This high-throughput western blot approach allowed us to identify and characterize alterations in cellular signal transduction that occur during the development of resistance to the kinase inhibitor Lapatinib, revealing major changes in the activation state of Ephrin-mediated signalling and a central role for p53-controlled processes.
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