Accurate
quantification of proteomics data is essential for revealing
and understanding biological signaling processes. We have recently
developed a chemical proteomic strategy termed phosphatase inhibitor
beads and mass spectrometry (PIB-MS) to investigate endogenous phosphoprotein
phosphatase (PPP) dephosphorylation signaling. Here, we compare the
robustness and reproducibility of status quo quantification methods
for optimal performance and ease of implementation. We then apply
PIB-MS to an array of breast cancer cell lines to determine differences
in PPP signaling between subtypes. Breast cancer, a leading cause
of cancer death in women, consists of three main subtypes: estrogen
receptor-positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor two
positive (HER2+), and triple-negative (TNBC). Although there are effective
treatment strategies for ER+ and HER2+ subtypes, tumors become resistant
and progress. Furthermore, TNBC has few targeted therapies. Therefore,
there is a need to identify new approaches for treating breast cancers.
Using PIB-MS, we distinguished TNBC from non-TNBC based on subtype-specific
PPP holoenzyme composition. In addition, we identified an increase
in PPP interactions with Hippo pathway proteins in TNBC. These interactions
suggest that phosphatases in TNBC play an inhibitory role on the Hippo
pathway and correlate with increased expression of YAP/TAZ target
genes both in TNBC cell lines and in TNBC patients.