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Biomedical subjects

Paul F Predki

Publications and source records attributed to Paul F Predki.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

A pooling-deconvolution strategy for biological network elucidation.

The generation of large-scale data sets is a fundamental requirement of systems biology. But despite recent advances, generation of such high-coverage data remains a major challenge. We developed a pooling-deconvolution strategy that can dramatically decrease the effort required. This strategy, pooling with imaginary tags followed by deconvolution (PI-deconvolution), allows the screening of 2(n) probe proteins (baits) in 2 x n pools, with n replicates for each bait. Deconvolution of baits with their binding partners (preys) can be achieved by reading the prey's profile from the 2 x n experiments. We validated this strategy for protein-protein interaction mapping using both proteome microarrays and a yeast two-hybrid array, demonstrating that PI-deconvolution can be used to identify interactions accurately with fewer experiments and better coverage. We also show that PI-deconvolution can be used to identify protein-small molecule interactions inferred from profiling the yeast deletion collection. PI-deconvolution should be applicable to a wide range of library-against-library approaches and can also be used to optimize array designs.

Computational Biology↗

Global analysis of protein phosphorylation in yeast.

Protein phosphorylation is estimated to affect 30% of the proteome and is a major regulatory mechanism that controls many basic cellular processes. Until recently, our biochemical understanding of protein phosphorylation on a global scale has been extremely limited; only one half of the yeast kinases have known in vivo substrates and the phosphorylating kinase is known for less than 160 phosphoproteins. Here we describe, with the use of proteome chip technology, the in vitro substrates recognized by most yeast protein kinases: we identified over 4,000 phosphorylation events involving 1,325 different proteins. These substrates represent a broad spectrum of different biochemical functions and cellular roles. Distinct sets of substrates were recognized by each protein kinase, including closely related kinases of the protein kinase A family and four cyclin-dependent kinases that vary only in their cyclin subunits. Although many substrates reside in the same cellular compartment or belong to the same functional category as their phosphorylating kinase, many others do not, indicating possible new roles for several kinases. Furthermore, integration of the phosphorylation results with protein-protein interaction and transcription factor binding data revealed novel regulatory modules. Our phosphorylation results have been assembled into a first-generation phosphorylation map for yeast. Because many yeast proteins and pathways are conserved, these results will provide insights into the mechanisms and roles of protein phosphorylation in many eukaryotes.

Eukaryotic Cells↗

Functional protein microarrays: just how functional are they?

Arrays of immobilized proteins have been developed for the discovery and characterization of protein functions ranging from molecular recognition to enzymatic activity. The success of these applications is highly dependent upon the maintenance of protein structure and function while in an immobilized state - a largely untested hypothesis. However, the immobilization of functional proteins is not without precedent. Active enzymes have been successfully immobilized for industrial applications for several decades. Furthermore, a survey of recent protein microarray literature reveals that an even wider range of proteins can maintain 'proper' function while immobilized. These reports help to validate the functionality of so-called functional protein microarrays.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

Protein microarray-based screening of antibody specificity.

The increased use of antibodies as therapeutics, as well as the growing demand for large numbers of antibodies for high-throughput protein analyses, has been accompanied by a need for more specific antibodies. An array containing every protein for the relevant organism represents the ideal format for an assay to test antibody specificity since it allows the simultaneous screening of thousands of proteins in relatively normalized quantities. Indeed, the use of a yeast proleome array to profile the specificity of several antibodies directed against yeast proteins has recently been described. In this chapter, we present a detailed description of the methods used to probe protein arrays with antibodies as well as the technical issues to consider when carrying out such experiments.

Antibodies↗

Protein microarrays: a new tool for profiling antibody cross-reactivity.

Antibody cross-reactivity can compromise interpretation of experiments and derail therapeutic antibody development. Standard techniques such as immunohistochemistry or Western analysis provide important but often inadequate approaches to assess antibody specificity. Protein microarrays are providing a new approach to rapidly characterize antibody cross-reactivity against 1,000s of proteins simultaneously. This review will focus on reported examples of antibody cross-reactivity, methods used to characterize them, and the recent development and use of protein microarrays for assessing antibody specificity.

Animals↗

Functional protein microarrays: ripe for discovery.

The manufacture and use of protein microarrays with correctly folded and functional content presents significant challenges. Despite this, the feasibility and utility of such undertakings are now clear, and exciting progress has recently been demonstrated in the areas of content generation, printing strategies and protein immobilization. More importantly, we are now beginning to enjoy the fruits of these efforts as functional protein microarrays are being increasingly employed for biological discovery purposes. Recent examples of this include the characterization of autoantibody responses, antibody specificity profiling, protein-protein domain interaction profiling and a comprehensive characterization of coiled-coil interactions. The best, however, is yet to come.

Animals↗

Development of functional protein microarrays for drug discovery: progress and challenges.

Functional protein microarrays promise new approaches to address longstanding challenges in drug discovery and development, with applications ranging from target identification to clinical trial design. However, their widespread adoption will be contingent upon a robust ability to develop and manufacture arrays in support of these applications. This review will address the major areas of relevance to the development of functional protein microarrays; protein content, surface chemistry, manufacture and assay development. Successful development will empower multiple drug research applications, help fill future HTS pipelines and guide next generation combinatorial chemistry efforts.

Drug Evaluation, Preclinical↗

Analyzing antibody specificity with whole proteome microarrays.

Although approximately 10,000 antibodies are available from commercial sources, antibody reagents are still unavailable for most proteins. Furthermore, new applications such as antibody arrays and monoclonal antibody therapeutics have increased the demand for more specific antibodies to reduce cross-reactivity and side effects. An array containing every protein for the relevant organism represents the ideal format for an assay to test antibody specificity, because it allows the simultaneous screening of thousands of proteins for possible cross-reactivity. As an initial test of this approach, we screened 11 polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to approximately 5,000 different yeast proteins deposited on a glass slide and found that, in addition to recognizing their cognate proteins, the antibodies cross-reacted with other yeast proteins to varying degrees. Some of the interactions of the antibodies with noncognate proteins could be deduced by alignment of the primary amino acid sequences of the antigens and cross-reactive proteins; however, these interactions could not be predicted a priori. Our findings show that proteome array technology has potential to improve antibody design and selection for applications in both medicine and research.

Antibodies↗

Practical applications of rolling circle amplification of DNA templates.

Since its recent implementation at one of the world's largest high-throughput sequencing centers, the utility of MP-RCA for DNA sequencing has been thoroughly validated. However, applications of this technology extend far beyond DNA sequencing. While many of these applications have been explored in this chapter, the future will undoubtedly add to this growing list.

DNA↗

Whole-genome comparative analysis of three phytopathogenic Xylella fastidiosa strains.

Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) causes wilt disease in plants and is responsible for major economic and crop losses globally. Owing to the public importance of this phytopathogen we embarked on a comparative analysis of the complete genome of Xf pv citrus and the partial genomes of two recently sequenced strains of this species: Xf pv almond and Xf pv oleander, which cause leaf scorch in almond and oleander plants, respectively. We report a reanalysis of the previously sequenced Xf 9a5c (CVC, citrus) strain and the two "gapped" Xf genomes revealing ORFs encoding critical functions in pathogenicity and conjugative transfer. Second, a detailed whole-genome functional comparison was based on the three sequenced Xf strains, identifying the unique genes present in each strain, in addition to those shared between strains. Third, an "in silico" cellular reconstruction of these organisms was made, based on a comparison of their core functional subsystems that led to a characterization of their conjugative transfer machinery, identification of potential differences in their adhesion mechanisms, and highlighting of the absence of a classical quorum-sensing mechanism. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of comparative analysis strategies in the interpretation of genomes that are closely related.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Draft sequencing and comparative genomics of Xylella fastidiosa strains reveal novel biological insights.

Draft sequencing is a rapid and efficient method for determining the near-complete sequence of microbial genomes. Here we report a comparative analysis of one complete and two draft genome sequences of the phytopathogenic bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, which causes serious disease in plants, including citrus, almond, and oleander. We present highlights of an in silico analysis based on a comparison of reconstructions of core biological subsystems. Cellular pathway reconstructions have been used to identify a small number of genes, which are likely to reside within the draft genomes but are not captured in the draft assembly. These represented only a small fraction of all genes and were predominantly large and small ribosomal subunit protein components. By using this approach, some of the inherent limitations of draft sequence can be significantly reduced. Despite the incomplete nature of the draft genomes, it is possible to identify several phage-related genes, which appear to be absent from the draft genomes and not the result of insufficient sequence sampling. This region may therefore identify potential host-specific functions. Based on this first functional reconstruction of a phytopathogenic microbe, we spotlight an unusual respiration machinery as a potential target for biological control. We also predicted and developed a new defined growth medium for Xylella.

Attachment Sites, Microbiological↗