covalentome
The covalentome refers to the complete set of proteins within a cell or organism that have been modified by the covalent attachment of small molecules or other biomolecules. These modifications, known as post-translational modifications (PTMs), are crucial for regulating protein function, localization, and interactions. Unlike genetic mutations that alter the protein sequence, PTMs represent a dynamic layer of biological regulation that expands the functional repertoire of the proteome.
Common covalent modifications include phosphorylation, ubiquitination, acetylation, methylation, and glycosylation. Each type of modification involves the
The study of the covalentome, often referred to as chemoproteomics or PTM proteomics, aims to identify and