Biomimetic Virulomics for Capture and Identification of Cell-Type Specific Effector Proteins

An
unmet challenge in the study of disease is to accurately streamline
the identification of important virulence factors. Traditional, genetically
driven approaches miss biologically relevant markers due to discordance
between the genome and proteome. Here, we developed a nanotechnology-enabled
affinity enrichment strategy coupled with multiplexed quantitative
proteomics, namely Biomimetic Virulomics, for successful identification
of cell-type specific effector proteins of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic
pathogens. We highlight the power of Biomimetic Virulomics by capturing
known virulence factors in a high-throughput, cell-type guided fashion.
Additionally, a comprehensive characterization of the membrane protein
component of biomimetics utilized in this strategy is provided. Interfacing
cell-derived nanomaterials with multiplexed quantitative proteomics
allow for a specific targeting strategy of virulence factors that
can be utilized for drug discovery against prominent human diseases.