Development of Cancer-Related Protease Assay Using DNA-Encoded Proteomic Probes

Abstract

Proteases function by breaking the peptide bonds within proteins that hold amino acids together. This action, proteolysis, is essential for the proper functioning of numerous biological processes. The activity of this vast group of enzymes is held in a delicate balance in normal living systems, however tumor growth and metastasis can develop as a result of irregular protease activity. A number of protease activities are well known to be misrelated in cancerous cells. The objective of the project is to develop DNA-encoded probes to use as a tool for protease assays that will enable low-cost, high-throughput profiling of enzymatic activity in samples by DNA sequence analysis for the early detection, characterization, and prevention of cancer. The encoding of functional proteomic information in DNA sequence promises to have significant benefits over traditional methods, including highly sensitive detection and capabilities for extensive multiplexing. Model proteases used in this experiment will include caspase 3 and prostate specific antigen (PSA).