Systematic identification and characterization of the methyl proteome for cancer intervention

8^th Euro Global Summit on Cancer Therapy

November 03-05, 2015 Valencia, Spain

Shawn S C Li

Western University, Canada

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

Methylation of Lys and Arg residues has emerged as a prevalent post-translational modification (PTM) occurring on numerous non-histone proteins, drastically extending its role beyond the known histone code. We have developed an approach that combines mass spectrometry with peptide arrays and bioinformatics to systematically identify protein methylation and quantify dynamic changes in the methylome associated with tumorigenesis or drug resistance. Our studies not only led to the identification of numerous novel methylation sites, but also generated new insights into how protein methylation regulates cellular functions such as DNA damage repair, apoptosis and drug resistance. With recent advances in mass spectrometry, the stage is now set to decode the methyl proteome and to elucidate, systematically, the mechanisms of interplay between histone and non-histone methylation and between methylation and other types of PTM for cancer diagnosis and intervention.

Biography :

Email: sli@uwo.ca