Metabolic Labeling

One type of proteome labeling introduces a stable isotope amino acid(s) to cell growth media or rodent feed. Growth and feeding periods allow the stable isotope-labeled amino acid(s) to become metabolically incorporated into the proteome. Experiments involving cell culture are referred to as SILAC (stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture), while mammalian systems are referred to as SILAM (stable isotope labeling in mammals). Each metabolic labeling technique is described and referenced on their associated page.

SILAC

SILAC refers to labeling cultured cells with heavy amino acids for quantitative proteomic analysis. Labeling an entire proteome with heavy amino acids in vivo generates an ideal standard for quantitative proteomics.

SILAM

SILAM refers to labeling an entire rodent with heavy isotopes for quantitative proteomic tissue analysis.