Strategies and tools to explore protein S-nitrosylation

BackgroundA biochemical pathway by which nitric oxide accomplishes functional diversity is the specific modification of protein cysteine residues to form S-nitrosocysteine. This post-translational modification, S-nitrosylation, impacts protein function, interactions and location. However, comprehensive studies exploring protein signaling pathways or interrelated protein clusters that are regulated by S-nitrosylation have not been performed on a global scale.Scope of reviewTo provide insights to these important biological questions, sensitive, validated and quantitative proteomic approaches are required. This review summarizes current approaches for the global identification of S-nitrosylated proteins.Major conclusionsThe application of novel methods for identifying S-nitrosylated proteins, especially when combined with mass-spectrometry based proteomics to provide site-specific identification of the modified cysteine residues, promises to deliver critical clues for the regulatory role of this dynamic posttranslational modification in cellular processes.General significanceThough several studies have established S-nitrosylation as a regulator of protein function in individual proteins, the biological chemistry and the structural elements that govern the specificity of this modification in vivo are vastly unknown. Additionally, a gap in knowledge exists concerning the potential global regulatory role(s) this modification may play in cellular physiology. By further studying S-nitrosylation at a global scale, a greater appreciation of nitric oxide and protein S-nitrosylation in cellular function can be achieved. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Regulation of Cellular Processes by S-nitrosylation.

► S-nitrosylation of cysteine residues an important regulator of protein function
► Description of methods to identify S-nitrosylated proteins
► Mass spectrometry-based proteomics essential for further studies of S-nitrosylation biology