Interactome Mapping: Using Protein Microarray Technology to Reconstruct Diverse Protein Networks

Uzoma, Ijeoma; Zhu, Heng

To further test the utility of the lectin microarray for biomarker discovery, Tao et al. analyzed lectin binding in a model cancer stem-like system by comparing cell surface glycan signatures of all 24 cell types [9] . Focusing on MCF7, a breast cancer cell line that adopts cancer stem-like phenotypes when grown under specific conditions, the authors demonstrated that different growth conditions give rise to distinct lectin binding profiles that can distinguish these cancer cell subpop-ulations [9] . The lectin LEL was identified as a biomarker that can discriminate between MCF7 subpopulations. The authors propose that combined with other stem cell enrichment methods, lectin microarray technology is a potential tool for identifying cell surface markers in tumors, enabling the discovery of cancer stem cell-like targeted therapies.