Protein array analysis articles from across Nature Portfolio

Here the authors identify genetic effectors of the level of inflammation-related plasma proteins and use Mendelian randomization to identify proteins that contribute to immune-mediated disease risk.

COVID-19 diagnosis is commonly performed by PCR testing, however, serologic methods are more accurate and versatile for monitoring disease burden and epidemiology. Here the authors report a protein microarray with antigens from SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV as well as common human respiratory viruses.

Current histone microarrays cannot be used to directly study the transient interactions of histone deacetylases (HDACs). Here, the authors show that hydroxamic acid-modified microarrays can capture HDACs, provide insights into their substrate specificity, and serve to develop peptide inhibitors.

Currently very little is known about how our immune system responds to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here the authors generate a SARS-CoV-2 proteome microarray for profiling of IgG and IgM responses to COVID-19 in patients and find significant responses to ORF9b and NSP5, as well as the S1 and N proteins.

As the diagnosis and management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be challenging, reclassification of SLE on the basis of biomarker data provides novel insights. Definitions of antinuclear antibodies and attention to SMAARTT criteria (specificity – sensitivity, measurable, actionable, added value, realistic, titres, timely) are needed to translate these new analytical frameworks into real-time clinical use.

Classification of proteins by ligand binding similarity offers an alternative approach to evolutionary methods for organizing and understanding biology, allowing new insights into protein function and physiological signal transduction.

Pairing selection with sequencing, one can probe how proteins function.