Nomenclature for proteins: is calprotectin a proper name for the elusive myelomonocytic protein?

Introduction "New" proteins will continue to be discovered, and suitable names for them should be sought. In many instances preliminary symbols are introduced which serve a practical purpose until the proteins have been characterised and appropriate descriptive names can be chosen. Using modem molecular biological methods, the existence of a protein may be suspected before it has ever been seen on an analytical gel. By cloning and gene manipulaton it may also be possible to produce proteins that may never appear in the human body. This raises a fundamental question: when should the specific protein be regarded as such and be given a proper name? When the DNA sequence is determined? When the specific mRNA is formed? When single polypeptides emerge from ribosomes? When glycosylated or otherwise modified polypeptides are detected within the cell? When complexes of more than one polypeptide chain are formed? Or when the functionally active substance is released? The very fact that such questions have not yet been discussed in depth in the scientific literature, let alone been covered by international conventions, suggests that the problems involved are difficult to address. In a time when biological sciences are becoming increasingly dominated by patents and their use for commercial purposes, it is not surprising that different scientific groups may be reluctant to agree that they are, in fact, working with the same protein: it might spoil the chance of obtaining a separate patent. In the case of calprotectin, which will be used as an example below, scientists have been unwilling to exchange reagents or use proper analytical methods to clarify whether various groups were working with the same protein. There is a good tradition and sound basis for giving descriptive names for well characterised, functional proteins. Their genes should also be named accordingly. As characterisation and delineation of biological activities may take considerable time, the use of preliminary symbols or short notations for proteins will still be necessary.