Functional proteomics enzyme activity profiles

Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) is a chemical proteomic strategy in which active-site-directed covalent probes are used to profile the functional states of enzymes in complex proteomes. Activity-based probes (ABPs) can distinguish active enzymes from their inactive zymogens or inhibitor-bound forms. They contain a reactive group intended to modify enzyme active sites covalently and a reporter group (typically rhodamine or biotin) that assists in detection and identification of protein targets. 

The benefit of addressing the proteome at the level of distinct enzyme classes, as well as the versatility of ABPP reagents, is highlighted in a third example of comparative ABPP profiling. In this study, carried out by Greenbaum and colleagues, activity-based probes were applied to characterize the functional role of the papain subclass of cysteine proteases in the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle [47]. While cysteine proteases are known to be essential for the... 

---