Proteomic identification of binding targets of isothiocyanates: A perspective on techniques

Intake of cruciferous vegetable is inversely associated with the risk of several cancer types. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are believed to be important constituents contributing to these cancer-preventive effects. Although several mechanisms, including induction of apoptosis, have been proposed for the anti-carcinogenesis activities of ITCs, detailed upstream triggering events are still not fully understood. Identification of ITC binding targets in cellular proteins is crucial for not only mechanistic studies but also future drug screening and design. In this review, we summarize recent progress in discovery of ITC protein targets from a technical perspective. The advantages and limitations of each method are discussed to facilitate future studies on target discovery of ITCs and perhaps other compounds.