title: Dual-Color, Multiplex Analysis of Protein Microarrays for Precision Medicine.
abstract: Generating molecular information in a clinically relevant time frame is the first hurdle to truly integrating precision medicine in health care. Reverse phase protein microarrays are being utilized in clinical trials for quantifying posttranslationally modified signal transduction proteins and cellular signaling pathways, allowing direct comparison of the activation state of proteins from multiple specimens, or individual patient specimens, within the same array. This technology provides diagnostic and therapeutic information critical to precision medicine. To enhance accessibility of this technology, two hurdles must be overcome: data normalization and data acquisition. Herein we describe an unamplified, dual-color signal detection methodology for reverse phase protein microarrays that allows multiplex, within spot data normalization, reduces data acquisition time, simplifies automated spot detection, and provides a stable signal output. This method utilizes Quantum Nanocrystal fluorophore labels (Qdot) substituted for organic fluorophores coupled with an imager (ArrayCAM) that captures images of the microarray rather than sequentially scanning the array. Streamlining and standardizing the data analysis steps with ArrayCAM high-resolution, dual mode chromogenic/fluorescent array imaging overcomes the data acquisition hurdle. The spot location and analysis algorithm provides certain parameter settings that can be tailored to the particular microarray type (fluorescent vs. colorimetric), resulting in greater than 99 % spot location sensitivity. The described method demonstrates equivalent sensitivity for a non-amplified Qdot immunoassay when using automated vs. manual immunostaining procedures.
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Life Science Lab Building, MS1A9, Manassas, VA, 20110, USA.
authors.forename: Solomon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yeon
authors.affiliation: Grace Bio-Labs, Bend, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: Grace Bio-Labs, Bend, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shultz
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Life Science Lab Building, MS1A9, Manassas, VA, 20110, USA.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Life Science Lab Building, MS1A9, Manassas, VA, 20110, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harpole
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Life Science Lab Building, MS1A9, Manassas, VA, 20110, USA. vespina@gmu.edu.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Espina
mesh_terms: D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D010766:Phosphorylation; D057285:Precision Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D040081:Protein Array Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013223:Statistics as Topic
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins
keywords: Fluorescence; Multicolor detection; Posttranslational modification; Precision medicine; Protein microarray; Protein phosphorylation; Qdot nanocrystal; Receptor tyrosine kinase; Reverse phase protein microarray; Signal transduction