Decrypting the potency of anti-cancer therapeutics by using mass spectrometry to quantify post-translational modifications

In a recent issue of Science, Zecha et al.(1) present decryptM, an approach aimed at defining the mechanisms of action of anti-cancer therapeutics through systems-level analysis of protein post-translational modifications (PTMs). By using a broad range of concentrations, decryptM generates drug response curves for each detected PTM, enabling identification of drug effects at different therapeutic doses.