By Cristy Lytal

A cell showing the enzyme BirA*G3, which tags the proteins of the “secretome” (Image courtesy of the McMahon Lab)

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.”….Read More