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Proteins are essential to nearly every aspect of human health and disease.
Functioning as the fundamental components of life, proteins play crucial roles in a variety of cellular processes. They are vital for cellular communication and play a significant role in maintaining the proper functioning of biological systems.
In essence, proteins are indispensable for life itself, which is why scientists globally are committed to studying them.
A recent study conducted at the University of Copenhagen showcases the potential of protein research to impact numerous fields within biology and medicine. This research, published in the journal Cell, was spearheaded by experts at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research at the University of Copenhagen.
Professor Jesper Velgaard Olsen notes, “We aspire for our discoveries to enhance understanding of how medications affect protein turnover, ultimately leading to more effective treatments. Furthermore, our study could illuminate the alterations in protein stability associated with aging and identify ways to promote healthy aging.”
“In essence, we have pioneered an advanced technology that enables us to analyze and quantify proteins in single cells with remarkable precision. This allows us to determine which proteins are present and their concentrations.”
This innovative technique empowers researchers to observe how individual cells synthesize and degrade proteins—a process referred to as ‘protein turnover’. Known as SC-pSILAC, it enables a detailed analysis of both protein levels and their turnover rates in single cells. The implications of these insights are particularly noteworthy for cancer research, drug development, and the customization of medical treatments.
Assessing the Effects of Cancer Treatments
Despite the pivotal role of proteins, much remains unknown, including the precise number of proteins present in a human cell.
SC-pSILAC is particularly groundbreaking because it can differentiate between dividing and non-dividing cells. This distinction is critical when examining cancer cells, which tend to proliferate quickly and are often the target of chemotherapy.
Interestingly, some cancer cells resist treatment by not dividing, which allows them to evade the effects of chemotherapy. This innovative method aids in pinpointing these resistant cells, paving the way for improved treatment strategies.
“Our observations reveal that non-dividing cells remain metabolically active, influencing their surrounding environment—a capability that prior techniques failed to detect,” explains Olsen.
The researchers employed this method to study how various drugs, including the cancer treatment bortezomib, affect protein turnover in individual cells. Their investigation unveiled specific proteins and previously uncharted biological processes that are influenced by the medication.
“This technique marks a substantial advancement in the field of protein research,” asserts Olsen.
“For years, we have strived to analyze proteins within cells, but only recently have technological innovations allowed us to do so at the single-cell resolution.”
With this advancement, scientists are now equipped with a more intricate understanding of protein dynamics at the molecular level, fueling hopes that this knowledge will lead to significant improvements in disease diagnostics and treatment approaches.
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