A hybrid DDA/DIA-PASEF based assay library for a deep proteotyping of triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, and deeper proteome coverage is needed for its molecular characterization. We present comprehensive library of targeted mass spectrometry assays specific for TNBC and demonstrate its applicability. Proteins were extracted from 105 TNBC tissues and digested. Aliquots were pooled, fractionated using hydrophilic chromatography and analyzed by LC-MS/MS in data-dependent acquisition (DDA) parallel accumulation-serial fragmentation (PASEF) mode on timsTOF Pro LC-MS system. 16 individual lysates were analyzed in data-independent acquisition (DIA)-PASEF mode. Hybrid library was generated in Spectronaut software and covers 244,464 precursors, 168,006 peptides and 11,564 protein groups (FDR = 1%). Application of our library for pilot quantitative analysis of 16 tissues increased identification numbers in Spectronaut 18.5 and DIA-NN 1.8.1 software compared to library-free setting, with Spectronaut achieving the best results represented by 190,310 precursors, 140,566 peptides, and 10,463 protein groups. In conclusion, we introduce assay library that offers the deepest coverage of TNBC proteome to date. The TNBC library is available via PRIDE repository (PXD047793).

Caspase-9 Is a Positive Regulator of Osteoblastic Cell Migration Identified by diaPASEF Proteomics.

Caspase-9 is traditionally considered the initiator caspase of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. In the past decade, however, other functions beyond initiation/execution of cell death have been described including cell type-dependent regulation of proliferation, differentiation/maturation, mitochondrial, and endosomal/lysosomal homeostasis. As previous studies revealed nonapoptotic functions of caspases in osteogenesis and bone homeostasis, this study was performed to identify proteins and pathways deregulated by knockout of caspase-9 in mouse MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Data-independent acquisition-parallel accumulation serial fragmentation (diaPASEF) proteomics was used to compare protein profiles of control and caspase-9 knockout cells. A total of 7669 protein groups were quantified, and 283 upregulated/141 downregulated protein groups were associated with the caspase-9 knockout phenotype. The deregulated proteins were mainly enriched for those associated with cell migration and motility and DNA replication/repair. Altered migration was confirmed in MC3T3-E1 cells with the genetic and pharmacological inhibition of caspase-9. ABHD2, an established regulator of cell migration, was identified as a possible substrate of caspase-9. We conclude that caspase-9 acts as a modulator of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell migration and, therefore, may be involved in bone remodeling and fracture repair.

Global Interactome Mapping Reveals Pro-tumorigenic Interactions of NF-κB in Breast Cancer.

NF-κB pathway is involved in inflammation; however, recent data shows its role also in cancer development and progression, including metastasis. To understand the role of NF-κB interactome dynamics in cancer, we study the complexity of breast cancer interactome in luminal A breast cancer model and its rearrangement associated with NF-κB modulation. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry measurement of 160 size-exclusion chromatography fractions identifies 5460 protein groups. Seven thousand five hundred sixty eight interactions among these proteins have been reconstructed by PrInCE algorithm, of which 2564 have been validated in independent datasets. NF-κB modulation leads to rearrangement of protein complexes involved in NF-κB signaling and immune response, cell cycle regulation, and DNA replication. Central NF-κB transcription regulator RELA co-elutes with interactors of NF-κB activator PRMT5, and these complexes are confirmed by AlphaPulldown prediction. A complementary immunoprecipitation experiment recapitulates RELA interactions with other NF-κB factors, associating NF-κB inhibition with lower binding of NF-κB activators to RELA. This study describes a network of pro-tumorigenic protein interactions and their rearrangement upon NF-κB inhibition with potential therapeutic implications in tumors with high NF-κB activity.