Proteomics and Metabolomics: the Final Frontier of Nutrition Research 71
SIGHT AND LIFE | VOL. 29(1) | 2015 PROTEOMICS AND METABOLOMICS: THE FINAL FRONTIER OF NUTRITION RESEARCH 71 Proteomics and Metabolomics: The Final Frontier of Nutrition Research Richard D Semba RNA editing, RNA splicing, post-translational modifications, and Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School protein degradation; the proteome does not strictly reflect the of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA genome. Proteins function as enzymes, hormones, receptors, immune mediators, structure, transporters, and modulators of cell communication and signaling. The metabolome consists Introduction of amino acids, amines, peptides, sugars, oligonucleotides, ke- Revolutionary new technologies allow us to penetrate scientific tones, aldehydes, lipids, steroids, vitamins, and other molecules. frontiers and open vast new territories for discovery. In astrono- These metabolites reflect intrinsic chemical processes in cells my, the Hubble Space Telescope has facilitated an unprecedent- as well as environmental exposures such as diet and gut micro- ed view outwards, beyond our galaxy. Wherever the telescope is bial flora. The current Human Metabolome Database contains directed, scientists are making exciting new observations of the more than 40,000 entries7 – a number that is expected to grow deep universe. Another revolution is taking place in two fields quickly in the future. of “omics” research: proteomics and metabolomics. In contrast, The goals of proteomics include the detection of the diver- this view is directed inwards, towards the complexity of biologi- sity of proteins, their quantity, their isoforms, and the localiza- cal processes in living organisms. Proteomics is the study of the tion and interactions of proteins. The goals of metabolomics structure and function of proteins expressed by an organism.
[Show full text]