High-throughput screening of cellular redox sensors using modern redox proteomics approaches

Cancer cells are characterized by higher levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to metabolic aberrations. ROS are widely accepted as second messengers triggering pivotal signaling pathways involved in the process of cell metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, and autophagy. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Recently, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that ROS initiate redox signaling through direct oxidative modification of the cysteines of key redox-sensitive proteins (termed redox sensors). Uncovering the functional changes underlying redox regulation of redox sensors is urgently required, and the role of different redox sensors in distinct disease states still remains to be identified. To assist this, redox proteomics has been developed for the high-throughput screening of redox sensors, which will benefit the development of novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. Highlighted here are recent advances in redox proteomics approaches and their applications in identifying redox sensors involved in tumor development.