Acetylation of proteins on lysine residues is a dynamic posttranslational modification that is known to play a key role in regulating transcription and other DNA-dependent nuclear processes. However, the extent of this modification in diverse cellular proteins remains largely unknown, presenting a major bottleneck for lysine-acetylation biology. Here we report the first proteomic survey of this modification, identifying 388 acetylation sites in 195 proteins among proteins derived from HeLa cells and mouse liver mitochondria. In addition to regulators of chromatin-based cellular processes, nonnuclear localized proteins with diverse functions were identified. Most strikingly, acetyllysine was found in more than 20% of mitochondrial proteins, including many longevity regulators and metabolism enzymes. Our study reveals previously unappreciated roles for lysine acetylation in the regulation of diverse cellular pathways outside of the nucleus. The combined data sets offer a rich source for further characterization of the contribution of this modification to cellular physiology and human diseases.

The positively charged lysine residue plays an important role in protein folding and functions. Neutralization of the charge often has a profound impact on the substrate proteins. Accordingly all the known post-translational modifications at lysine have pivotal roles in cell physiology and pathology. Here we report the discovery of two novel, in vivo lysine modifications in histones, lysine propionylation and butyrylation. We confirmed, by in vitro labeling and peptide mapping by mass spectrometry, that two previously known acetyltransferases, p300 and CREB-binding protein, could catalyze lysine propionylation and lysine butyrylation in histones.

A recently developed proteomics strategy, designated tagging-viasubstrate (TAS) approach, is described for the detection and proteomic analysis of farnesylated proteins. TAS technology involves metabolic incorporation of a synthetic azido-farnesyl analog and chemoselective derivatization of azido-farnesyl-modified proteins by an elegant version of Staudinger reaction, pioneered by the Bertozzi group, using a biotinylated phosphine capture reagent. The resulting protein conjugates can be specifically detected and͞or affinity-purified by streptavidin-linked horseradish peroxidase or agarose beads, respectively. Thus, the technology enables global profiling of farnesylated proteins by enriching farnesylated proteins and reducing the complexity of farnesylation subproteome. Azido-farnesylated proteins maintain the properties of protein farnesylation, including promoting membrane association, Ras-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase activation, and inhibition of lovastatin-induced apoptosis. A proteomic analysis of farnesylated proteins by TAS technology revealed 18 farnesylated proteins, including those with potentially novel farnesylation motifs, suggesting that future use of this method is likely to yield novel insight into protein farnesylation. TAS technology can be extended to other posttranslational modifications, such as geranylgeranylation and myristoylation, thus providing powerful tools for detection, quantification, and proteomic analysis of posttranslationally modified proteins.