This mouse can’t keep a secret about the “secretome”

Schematic view of a cell with detail of BirA*G3 biotinylation of proteins in the secretory pathway. — Schematic view of a cell with detail of BirA*G3 biotinylation of proteins in the secretory pathway (Image by Amanda Meyer)

The “secretome” refers to proteins that are secreted by a cell, a tissue or an organism. In a new study published in Open Biology, USC Stem Cell scientist Andy McMahon and his collaborators introduce an elegant new way to label and study the secretome in a living organism.

“The secretome orchestrates the subtle and complex processes of embryonic development, maintains the function of individual organs, and coordinates organ activity through inter-organ communication,” said McMahon, chair of the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at USC. “However, it can be challenging to track which cells are secreting proteins, and which cells are being targeted.”

To address this challenge, co-first authors Rui Yang and Amanda S. Meyer at USC and Ilia A. Droujinine formerly at Harvard Medical School and now at Scripps Research generated mice with a built-in system for labeling and tracking the secretome.