Human plasma is comprised of thousands of proteins derived from multiple tissues, with the tissue of origin typically unknown for a given protein. Information on the origin of certain proteins could prove to be a useful insight into human health and disease. A better understanding of a tissue’s specific secretome could also serve as an entry point into subsequent development of sensitive biomarkers of disease.
Description
Using the properties of proximity biotinylation, Pitt researchers devised a method and mouse model that enable deconvolution of serum. This model provides a sensitive and quantitative means of examining tissue-specific secretion, allowing for rational design of tissue-specific disease biomarkers and detailed insight into human physiology.
As a first example, a secretome mouse was designed to secrete biotinylated polypeptides from myocytes (but not other types of cells), allowing the muscle-specific secretome to be elucidated using streptavidin purification methods, followed by mass spectroscopy. Multiple muscle-derived serum proteins were readily identified to better understand their fluctuation based on exercise.
Applications
• Accelerated development of non-invasive biomarkers
• Insight into tissue-specific biological processes
Advantages
• Currently no way of determining the tissue origin of most serum proteins
Invention Readiness
In vivo data
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230141187A1
