Peptide
A peptide is a molecule consisting of two or more amino acids, which are molecules that act as the building materials of cells. Proteins are also composed of chains of amino acids, and though proteins and peptides resemble each other, peptides are by definition smaller (1, 2).
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It is thought that examination of a certain peptides contained in pleural fluid (the fluid between the membranes that cover the lungs and chest cavity) may help pathologists screen for and
diagnose malignant pleural mesothelioma (3). The specific peptides, known as soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP), are associated with mesothelial cells, and are shown to appear in higher levels in individuals with malignant pleural
mesothelioma. As more research is done in this area, physicians may be able to identify cases of
malignant pleural mesothelioma based on samples of the pleural fluid (3, 4).