Using metalloproteomics to investigate the cellular physiology of copper in hepatocytes

Proteomics is a systems biology approach for examining proteins and their function in a given specified system. Metalloproteomics narrows the focus of proteomics to those proteins which bind a metal or are metalloproteins. An important system where metalloproteomics can be applied is the hepatocyte, the liver's parenchymal cell engaged in protein synthesis, nutrient deployment, and drug biotransformation. Hepatocellular metalloproteomics is an exciting new scientific discipline which has already advanced our understanding of certain genetic and neoplastic liver disorders. It has the potential to elucidate the action of numerous metals in hepatocytes and generate new diagnostic parameters, namely, novel biomarkers. Metalloproteomics is a systems biology approach for identifying large sets of proteins associated with metals and analyzing their regulation, modification, interaction, structural assembly, and function as well as their involvement in physiological processes (including development) and in disease states.