Cell-selective proteome labeling: a new method for identifying cell-of-origin of signaling proteins and secreted factors in multicellular environments

摘要

Tissue development, homeostasis, and pathogenesis involve complex signaling between many cell types through both secreted factors and direct contact. There are currently no high-throughput methodologies to determine the cell-of-origin of proteins in multicellular environments. To address this limitation, we have developed a technique that selectively and continuously labels the proteome of individual cell types in co-culture. By expressing exogenous amino acid biosynthesis enzymes, we enable vertebrate cells to produce and metabolically incorporate canonical amino acids from labeled precursors. We have named this method Cell Type specic labeling with Amino acid Precursors (CTAP).