Radiation proteome: a clue to protection, carcinogenesis, and drug development

• Radiation proteomics in drug development, biodosimetery and carcinogenesis. • Recent advances on radiation proteomic tools. • Radiation responsive signature proteins. • Proteins biomarkers in radiation carcinogenesis and treatment. Fundamental responses to any stimulus are mediated through the expression of exclusive and specific protein arrays, inside or outside the cellular milieu. Understanding these specific arrays of proteins could lead to a way to ameliorate the situations raised by such insults. For the past few decades and with the advancement of molecular tools, the radiation-affected proteome has been a focus of research. These protein biomarkers have provided insights to develop biodosimetry and diagnostic approaches, and to determine the response of tumors versus normal cells to different radiations to improve radiation therapy (RT). In this review, we elaborate on radiation proteomic studies and their possible role in the development of modalities for radiation countermeasures, radiation biodosimetry, and carcinogenesis applications.