Current Methods of Post-Translational Modification Analysis and Their Applications in Blood Cancers

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This review discusses current techniques used to study post-translational protein modifications (PTMs) and their contribution to blood cancer research. Blood cancer is an umbrella term for cancers that affect blood cells and organs of the hematopoietic system, accounting for approximately 10% of all cancer diagnoses. PTMs are crucial for the normal functioning of cells via the regulation of protein structure, function, and localization. Mass spectrometry and antibody-based techniques are powerful analytical tools used for the detection and quantitation of PTMs such as phosphorylation. The application of these techniques in blood cancer research facilitates the identification of abnormal PTMs that contribute to cancer development and progression by promoting cancer cell growth, survival, and invasion. Many FDA-approved blood cancer treatments exert their anti-cancer effects by targeting protein modifications, thus emphasizing the importance of PTM-focused research in the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve blood cancer survival outcomes. ABSTRACT: Post-translational modifications (PTMs) add a layer of complexity to the proteome through the addition of biochemical moieties to specific residues of proteins, altering their structure, function and/or localization. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques are at the forefront of PTM analysis due to their ability to detect large numbers of modified proteins with a high level of sensitivity and specificity. The low stoichiometry of modified peptides means fractionation and enrichment techniques are often performed prior to MS to improve detection yields. Immuno-based techniques remain popular, with improvements in the quality of commercially available modification-specific antibodies facilitating the detection of modified proteins with high affinity. PTM-focused studies on blood cancers have provided information on altered cellular processes, including cell signaling, apoptosis and transcriptional regulation, that contribute to the malignant phenotype. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of many blood cancer therapies, such as kinase inhibitors, involves inhibiting or modulating protein modifications. Continued optimization of protocols and techniques for PTM analysis in blood cancer will undoubtedly lead to novel insights into mechanisms of malignant transformation, proliferation, and survival, in addition to the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review discusses techniques used for PTM analysis and their applications in blood cancer research.