Protein Modification Proteomics

Post-translational modifications proteomics (PTM proteomics) is a systematic analysis method for studying post-translational modifications (PTMs) in proteins. PTMs are significant biochemical events within cells and play key roles in almost all biological processes, including signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, gene expression, and cell death, etc.

 

The Primary Objectives of PTM Proteomics

1. To determine all modification sites of proteins.

2. To quantify the changes in the abundance of specific modifications.

3. To unravel the interplay and synergy between different modifications.

 

Main Techniques and Methods

1. Mass Spectrometry

This is the most commonly used and powerful tool in PTM proteomics. It allows researchers to identify the modification sites, types, and abundance of proteins.

 

2. Enrichment Techniques

Since some modifications (like phosphorylation, acetylation) might be present at low abundance, specific methods (like antibody enrichment, affinity purification) are required to enrich protein fragments or peptides containing these modifications.

 

3. Labeling Quantification

For example, isotope labeling (like SILAC, iTRAQ, TMT) allows the quantitative comparison of protein modifications' abundance under different biological samples or treatment conditions.

 

4. Bioinformatics Tools

These are used for data analysis and interpretation, assisting researchers in identifying potential biological significance and associations with other biological processes.

 

5. Functional Validation

Molecular and cellular biology techniques are used to validate mass spectrometry data, such as using mutants or RNAi methods to explore the function of specific modification sites.

 

PTM proteomics provides us with valuable insight, aiding in a thorough understanding of cellular signaling networks, regulatory mechanisms, and biological functions. With technological advancements, we can expect a deeper understanding of the roles of protein modifications in health and disease in the future.