Can large-scale analysis of the proteome identify effective new markers embryonic stem cells?

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are broadly regarded as the most promising source of future cell-based regenerative therapies, although current limitations in our ability to accurately define and monitor their behavior will have to be overcome. The search for new cell-specific markers, as well as the desire to better understand stem cells at the molecular level, is a major driving force behind the use of proteomics in stem cell systems. In 2006, a high-throughput proteomic strategy was adopted to identify ESC-exclusive proteins in human and mouse ESC lines. The study identified novel putative ESC-specific markers and incorporated substantial immunological validation. Analysis of the proteome on this scale represents a significant step in bridging the gap between gene expression data and observed cellular behavior and demonstrates the potential of proteomics for the identification of valid stem cell biomarkers.