Nutriproteomics: A promising tool to link diet and diseases in nutritional research

Nutriproteomics is a nascent research arena, exploiting the dynamics of proteomic tools to characterize molecular and cellular changes in protein expression and function on a global level as well as judging the interaction of proteins with food nutrients. As nutrients are present in complex mixtures, the bioavailability and functions of each nutrient can be influenced by the presence of other nutrients/compounds and interactions. The first half of this review focuses on the techniques used as nutriproteomic tools for identification, quantification, characterization and analyses of proteins including, two-dimensional polyacrylamide electrophoresis, chromatography, mass spectrometry, microarray and other emerging technologies involving visual proteomics. The second half narrates the potential of nutriproteomics in medical and nutritional research for revolutionizing biomarker and drug development, nutraceutical discovery, biological process modeling, preclinical nutrition linking diet and diseases and structuring ways to a personalized nutrition. Though several challenges such as protein dynamics, analytical complexity, cost and resolution still exist, the scope of applying proteomics to nutrition is rapidly expanding and promising as more holistic strategies are emerging.

► Nutriproteomics is the study of interaction of dietary nutrients with the proteome. ► Proteomic techniques involve quantitative and functional approaches. ► Mass spectrometry-based proteomics serves as a powerful tool in protein profiling. ► Biomarker, drug and nutraceutical discoveries are major applications of the field. ► Discussion of challenges vs promises of nutriproteomics in nutrition research