Cover Picture: Proteomics – Clinical Applications 8/09

What dopes who dope: Biomarkers for rhGH in humans The use of natural products to enhance sports performance has been a “leapfrog” game for many years. Now, with recombinant DNA methods of producing the identical products, it has gotten more difficult and expensive for regulatory authorities to develop the robust and accurate tests needed. In the case of recombinant human growth hormone, Boateng et al . report a reliable serum test that only requires two mass spectrometers (nanoESI‐LC‐MS and MALDI) and an artificial neural network (ANN) to perform. After multiple training cycles, the MALDI system identified six ions that had a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 100% ( n =22, 24, respectively). The LC‐MS parameters yielded 90 and 95% sensitivity and specificity (six training runs, n =21). Boateng, J. et al. , Proteomics Clin. Appl. 2009, 3 , 912–922. An open‐faced sandwich draws esophageal biomarkers Sandwiches always seem to attract flying pests, particularly in the late summer as the pests stock up their nests for the coming colder weather. Shao et al . have assembled a Dagwood‐style multi‐layer sandwich/stack that binds serum components and potential biomarkers according to the type of glycans attached. The method is rapid and efficient, based on a 48‐element array. The disease in this case is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, which produces and modifies an abundance of glycosylated proteins. As sandwiches go, this one is tough to chew but the product is good. Shao, C. et al. , Proteomics Clin. Appl. 2009, 3 , 923–931. You give me fever... Carcinogens such as N ‐nitrosomorpholine (NNM) or bacterial lipopolysaccharide provoke an almost immediate inflammatory response when applied to rats by gavage. By growing primary hepatocytes (HC) and Kupffer cells (KC) in 35 S‐labeled medium, the responses of specific proteins could be monitored as a function of treatment and time. Using proteomic methods, including 2‐DE, LC‐MS/MS, and shotgun peptide identification, Lorenz et al . were able to show that the secretory responses of KC and HC were distinctly different and that NNM triggers an inflammatory response directly and immediately (<4 h) in KC. Proteins expressed included IL‐6, allograft inflammatory factor, and macrophage inflammatory factor. Also in the response are members of functional teams that repair various types of damage. Lorenz, O. et al. , Proteomics Clin. Appl. 2009, 3 , 947–967.