Comparison of different separation technologies for proteome analyses: isoform resolution as a prerequisite for the definition of protein biomarkers on the level of posttranslational modifications.
In this article we evaluate methods used to reveal the molecular complexity, which is generated in biological samples by posttranslational modifications (PTM) of proteins. We show how distinct molecular differences on the level of phosphorylation sites in a single protein (ovalbumin) can be resolved with different success using 1D and 2D gel-electrophoresis and reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) with monolithic polystyrol-divinylbenzol (PS-DVB) columns for protein separation, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for protein identification. Phosphorylation site analysis was performed using enzymatic dephosphorylation in combination with differential peptide mass mapping. Liquid chromatography-MALDI-TOF MS coupling with subsequent on-target tryptic protein digestion turned out to be the fastest method tested but yielded low resolution for the analysis of PTM, whereas 2D gel-electrophoresis, due to its unique capability of resolving highly complex isoform pattern, turned out to be the most suitable method for this purpose. The evaluated methods complement one another and in connection with efficient technologies for differential and quantitative analysis, these approaches have the potential to reveal novel molecular details of protein biomarkers.
Hunzinger
Christian
C
ProteoSys AG, Carl-Zeiss-Strasse 51, D-55129 Mainz, Germany. chunzinger@yahoo.de
Schrattenholz
André
A
Poznanović
Slobodan
S
Schwall
Gerhard P
GP
Stegmann
Werner
W
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000379:methods; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing / Q000379:methods; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D020543:Proteome / Q000032:analysis*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods; D014357:Trypsin / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D020543:Proteome; D010047:Ovalbumin; D014357:Trypsin