Proteomic analysis and characterisation of human cervico-vaginal fluid proteins.
OBJECTIVE
Cervico-vaginal fluid (CVF) may provide insight into the biochemical pathways of human reproduction and parturition. The aim of this study was to establish a 2-D electrophoretic map of human CVF in healthy, pregnant women at term.


METHODS
CVF was collected, concentrated and processed by routine 2-D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using pH 4-7-immobilised pH gradient strips and 8-16% gradient polyacrylamide gels. Imaged gels were analysed, yielding more than 400 proteins. A total of 157 proteins were common to all gels with a subgroup of the most abundant proteins being excised and characterised either by MALDI or by electrospray ion-trap mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
Twenty-one proteins were successfully identified, yielding 15 different proteins. These included blood transport proteins (albumin and transthyretin); a structural protein (beta-actin); proteins involved in fatty acid metabolism (fatty acid-binding protein and acetyl-CoA-binding protein); a calcium-binding protein (annexin III); an anti-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist); proteinase inhibitors (alpha-1-antitrypsin, monocyte/neutrophil elastase inhibitor, squamous cell carcinoma antigen-1 and cystatin A); and enzymes involved in oxidative stress defence (thioredoxin, peroxiredoxin 2, glutathione S-transferase P and copper,zinc superoxide dismutase).


CONCLUSIONS
CVF is a complex body fluid consisting of both endogenous and environmental proteins. The putative role of some of these proteins in the human reproductive tract is discussed.
Di Quinzio
Megan K W
MK
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. algmeg@smartchat.net.au
Oliva
Karen
K
Holdsworth
Sarah J
SJ
Ayhan
Mustafa
M
Walker
Susan P
SP
Rice
Gregory E
GE
Georgiou
Harry M
HM
Permezel
Michael
M
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism*; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D040901:Proteomics; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D011506:Proteins