Demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale development of standardized assays to quantify human proteins

Nat Methods. 2014 Feb;11(2):149-55. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.2763. Epub 2013 Dec 8.

Abstract

Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry has been successfully applied to monitor targeted proteins in biological specimens, raising the possibility that assays could be configured to measure all human proteins. We report the results of a pilot study designed to test the feasibility of a large-scale, international effort for MRM assay generation. We have configured, validated across three laboratories and made publicly available as a resource to the community 645 novel MRM assays representing 319 proteins expressed in human breast cancer. Assays were multiplexed in groups of >150 peptides and deployed to quantify endogenous analytes in a panel of breast cancer-related cell lines. The median assay precision was 5.4%, with high interlaboratory correlation (R(2) > 0.96). Peptide measurements in breast cancer cell lines were able to discriminate among molecular subtypes and identify genome-driven changes in the cancer proteome. These results establish the feasibility of a large-scale effort to develop an MRM assay resource.

Publication types

  • Research Support, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Assay / standards*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / classification
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pilot Projects
  • Proteome / analysis*
  • Proteomics*
  • Survival Rate
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Proteome