AHS 2022 | A phosphoproteome analysis of migraine serum

Tally Largent-Milnes, PhD, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, discusses a pilot study concerning a phosphoproteome analysis of migraine serum. There has been much work on the genetic susceptibility towards migraine. With an understanding of genomics and transcriptomics in migraine, Dr Largent-Milnes’ lab has focused on proteomics. At the post-translational modification level, it was found that proteins in the headache patients were oxidized – implying cellular stress. These signaling pathways, which are implicated in the oxidized state, demonstrated a change in the phosphorylation of two key proteins – relating to extracellular matrix organization and cell adhesion. This infers that an absence of phosphorylation sites can lead to an inability to maintain the space and connection between cells. Furthermore, the band 3 protein was highly upregulated in migraine patients and relates to cell adhesion, emphasizing the importance of maintaining space and connections between cells. These proteins can also differentiate between patients who had aura and who did not – effectively acting as biomarkers dependent on where and how the protein was phosphorylated. This interview took place at the 2022 American Headache Society (AHS) meeting in Denver, CO.