CysScout™

Profiling of reactive cysteines

Submit a project inquiry

CysScout™ is a quantitative mass spectrometry-based chemoproteomics platform that comprehensively maps reactive cysteines in live cells or cell lysates to support the development of novel therapeutics. This technology leverages TMT multiplexing to enable the high-throughput, proteome-wide analysis of cysteine reactivity with high depth and high quantitative reproducibility, making it well-suited for the screening of large substance or fragment libraries. When performed with a compound of interest, CysScout™ facilitates target identification and deconvolution, target engagement studies across multiple sample types and species, and selectivity and specificity profiling to advance a wide range of drug discovery and optimization efforts.

We offer multiple workflow options to match your experimental needs. CysScout™ High Throughput (~20.5K cysteines across ~7K proteins) facilitates faster data turnaround with lower costs, while CysScout™ Ultra-Deep (~29.2K cysteines across ~8.6K proteins) provides maximum coverage of the cysteinome for the best chance of detecting sites of interest. All CysScout™ assays can be performed with a single treatment concentration or with multiple concentrations to enable dose-response analysis and identify concentration-dependent cysteine reactivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CysScout™?

CysScout™ is a mass spectrometry-based chemoproteomics platform that maps reactive cysteines across the proteome and can also be used to identify the specific reactive cysteines bound by a compound of interest. This workflow is optimized for 96-well plates and is compatible with liquid handling stations, making it a high-throughput, reproducible approach for activity-based protein profiling (ABPP).

Is CysScout™ the same as ABPP?

CysScout™ is based on the principles of activity-based protein profiling (ABPP). Our in-house workflow optimizes the ABPP approach for throughput, depth, and sensitivity through the incorporation of 96-well-plate compatibility, the integration of automated liquid handling, the use of advanced mass spectrometry for data collection, and the development of purpose-built bioinformatics pipelines for data analysis.

How many cysteines are profiled in a typical CysScout™ experiment?

We offer two CysScout™ workflows distinguished by their detection depth. CysScout™ High Throughput offers a lower-cost option and typically detects ~20.5K cysteine residues across ~7K proteins. For maximum coverage, CysScout™ Ultra-Deep typically detects ~29.2K cysteine residues across ~8.6K proteins. If you're unsure which option is best for you, our scientific team is happy to provide further guidance.

Can CysScout™ be performed at multiple treatment concentrations?

Yes – we offer single-concentration CysScout™, as well as dose-response formats that support reactive cysteine profiling across multiple treatment concentrations.

What probe is used in CysScout™?

CysScout™ is performed using an affinity probe that couples a cysteine-reactive warhead to a desthiobiotin affinity handle.

Explore Other Technologies

Our technologies provide insight into protein abundance, activity, interactions, and more.

  • DecryptM

    Concentration-resolved PTM profiling

  • KinomeScout™

    Target profiling for kinases and other ATP-binding proteins

  • NucleoBeads™

    Identifying and characterizing functional inhibitors of DNA-binding proteins and transcription factors

  • PhotoTargetScout™

    Photo-affinity labeling and identification of compound-binding proteins

  • PlasmaScout™

    Clinical proteomics of plasma and serum proteins

  • Protein Turnover Atlas™

    On-demand access to protein turnover data

  • Proteome Atlas™

    Protein expression data across cell lines & tissues

  • ProteomeScout™

    Deep and rapid proteome profiling

  • QuantScout™

    Targeted quantification of relevant proteoforms with maximum accuracy

  • SignalingScout™

    Proteome-wide phosphorylation profiling

  • SPICE

    Label-free target profiling in cells with biophysical proteomics

  • SurfaceScout™

    Profiling of cell surface proteomes

  • TargetScout™

    Versatile, robust, and scalable platform for compound pulldowns

  • TurnoverScout™

    Global profiling of protein synthesis and degradation

  • UbiScout™

    Profiling of ubiquitination sites

  • CHIPP

    Sensitive, label-free, and scalable drug:target profiling

Submit a Project Inquiry

To connect with our scientific team, submit a project inquiry. Our team will be in touch shortly to schedule an introductory meeting.

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for News & Updates