De novo derivation of proteomes from transcriptomes for transcript and protein identification

Identification of proteins by tandem mass spectrometry requires a database of the proteins that could be in the sample. This is available for model species (e.g. humans) but not for non-model species. Ideally, for a non-model species the sequencing of expressed mRNA would generate a protein database for mass spectrometry based identification, allowing detection of genes and proteins using high throughput sequencing and protein identification technologies. Here we use human cells infected with human adenovirus as a complex and dynamic model to demonstrate this approach is robust. Our Proteomics Informed by Transcriptomics technique identifies >99% of over 3700 distinct proteins identified using traditional analysis reliant on comprehensive human and adenovirus protein lists. This facilitates high throughput acquisition of direct evidence for transcripts and proteins in non-model species. Critically, we show this approach can also be used to highlight genes and proteins undergoing dynamic changes in post transcriptional protein stability

Electro-tactile stimulation of the posterior neck induces body anteropulsion during upright stance

Sensory information conveyed along afferent fibers from muscle and joint proprioceptors play an important role in the control of posture and gait in humans. In particular, proprioceptive information from the neck is fundamental in supplying the central nervous system with information about the orientation and movement of the head relative to the rest of the body. The previous studies have confirmed that proprioceptive afferences originating from the neck region, evoked via muscle vibration, lead to strong body-orienting effects during static conditions (e.g., leaning of the body forwards or backwards, depending on location of vibration). However, it is not yet certain in humans, whether the somatosensory receptors located in the deep skin (cutaneous mechanoreceptors) have a substantive contribution to postural control, as vibratory stimulation encompasses the receptive field of all the somatosensory receptors from the skin to the muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the postural effect of cutaneous mechanoreceptor afferences using electro-tactile stimulation applied to the neck. Ten healthy volunteers (8M, 2F) were evaluated. The average position of their centre of foot pressure (CoP) was acquired before, during, and after a subtle electro-tactile stimulation over their posterior neck (mean ± SD = 5.1 ± 2.3 mA at 100 Hz-140% of the perception threshold) during upright stance with their eyes closed. The electro-tactile stimulation led to a body-orienting effect with the subjects consistently leaning forward. An average shift of the CoP of 12.1 ± 11.9 mm (mean ± SD) was reported, which significantly (p &lt; 0.05) differed from its average position under a control condition (no stimulation). These results indicate that cutaneous mechanoreceptive inflow from the neck is integrated to control stance. The findings are relevant for the exploitation of electro-tactile stimulation for rehabilitation interventions where induced anteropulsion of the body is desired.</p