Surveying proteolytic processes in human cancer microenvironments by microdialysis and activity-based mass spectrometry.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

We present a strategy to survey proteolytic processes that occur in human cancer microenvironments.

Experimental design

In situ microdialysis during oral cancer surgery was combined with mass spectrometry-based proteomics to analyze interstitial fluid surrounding tumors and anatomically matched normal sites. Protease activity-based (18)O-profiling was utilized to reveal peptides that were processed by co-collected proteases ex vivo.

Results

We demonstrated for the first time the use of microdialysis in humans to collect interstitial fluid from cancer microenvironments. Proteomic profiling identified proteases and inhibitors in the microdialysis samples. A subset of peptides displayed characteristic (18)O-isotope patterns that indicated processing by endogenous

SUBMITTER: Hardt M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3470480 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature