CSHL Press News

Protein-Bait Interactions, Display Libraries featured in Cold Spring Harbor Protocols

03/01/2010

COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y. (Mon., Mar. 1, 2010) – The use of recombinant proteins, antibodies, small molecules, or nucleic acids as affinity reagents is a simple yet powerful strategy to study the protein/bait interactions that drive biological processes. Analysis via mass spectrometry rather than western blotting extends the identification of interactors, often allowing detection of thousands of proteins from complex mixtures. But this increased sensitivity can lead to problems distinguishing specific interactions from background noise. In the March issue of Cold Spring Harbor Protocols (www.cshprotocols.org/TOCs/toc3_10.dtl), Shao-En Ong from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (www.broadinstitute.org/proteomics/team.html) presents Unbiased Identification of Protein/Bait Interactions Using Biochemical Enrichment and Quantitative Proteomics. This method uses quantitative proteomics approaches to compare enrichment with the bait of interest against samples using control baits to allow sensitive detection and discrimination of specific protein/bait interactions. As one of March's featured articles, it is freely available on the journal's website (cshprotocols.cshlp.org/cgi/content/full/2010/3/pdb.prot5400).

The baculovirus expression vector system has been widely used to produce proteins originating from both prokaryotic and eukaryotic sources. It offers easy cloning techniques and abundant viral propagation, and since it is based on an insect cell environment, it provides eukaryotic posttranslational modification machinery. Surface modifications of the viral capsid enable specific targeting. Such modifications can be used to enhance viral binding and entry to a wide variety of both dividing and nondividing mammalian cells, as well as to produce antibodies against the displayed antigen. In addition, the technology should enable modifications of intracellular behavior, i.e., trafficking of recombinant "nanoparticles," a highly relevant feature for studies of targeted gene or protein delivery. In the March issue of Cold Spring Harbor Protocols (www.cshprotocols.org/TOCs/toc3_10.dtl), Christian Oker-Blom and colleagues (www.jyu.fi/bio/bit/tutkimus_files/research.html) provide a suite of articles detailing the use of baculovirus-based display and gene delivery systems. Their protocol for Creation of Baculovirus Display Libraries is featured, and is freely available on the journal's website (cshprotocols.cshlp.org/cgi/content/full/2010/3/pdb.prot5393).

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About Cold Spring Harbor Protocols:
Cold Spring Harbor Protocols (www.cshprotocols.org) is a monthly peer-reviewed journal of methods used in a wide range of biology laboratories. It is structured to be highly interactive, with each protocol cross-linked to related methods, descriptive information panels, and illustrative material to maximize the total information available to investigators. Each protocol is clearly presented and designed for easy use at the bench—complete with reagents, equipment, and recipe lists. Life science researchers can access the entire collection via institutional site licenses, and can add their suggestions and comments to further refine the techniques.

About Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press:
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press is an internationally renowned publisher of books, journals, and electronic media, located on Long Island, New York. Since 1933, it has furthered the advance and spread of scientific knowledge in all areas of genetics and molecular biology, including cancer biology, plant science, bioinformatics, and neurobiology. It is a division of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, an innovator in life science research and the education of scientists, students, and the public. For more information, visit www.cshlpress.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
For content and submission information:
David Crotty ( [email protected] ; 516-422-4007), Executive Editor, Cold Spring Harbor Protocols
For access, subscription, and free trial information:
Stephanie Novara ( [email protected] ; 516-422-4159), Journals Marketing Manager, CSHL Press



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