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Proteomics Databases



Metabolomics Databases

• • Edman Degradation Sequencing: A Reliable Method for N-Terminal Protein Analysis

  Introduction: Accurate Identification of N-Terminal Sequences Lays the Foundation for Protein Research Precise identification of amino acid sequences is a fundamental step toward understanding the structure and function of proteins. While modern mass spectrometry has become a powerful tool in proteomics, the classical Edman degradation method remains indispensable in certain specific contexts. This chemical approach sequentially decodes protein sequences from the N-terminus and continues to be widely.......

• • History, Current Status, and Future Trends of Edman Degradation

  The function of a protein is fundamentally determined by its structure, which in turn is based on its primary sequence. As early as the mid-20th century, prior to the advent of DNA sequencing technologies, protein sequencing had already initiated the exploration of life's structural foundations. At the heart of this breakthrough was a pivotal invention: the Edman degradation method. Over the past seventy years, Edman degradation has evolved from a manually operated technique to an automated analytical......

• • How Does Edman Sequencing Enable N-Terminal Protein Sequencing? Key Steps and Mechanisms

  How Does Edman Sequencing Enable N-Terminal Protein Sequencing? The core principle of Edman degradation lies in the selective chemical degradation of N-terminal amino acids, where each amino acid residue at the protein’s N-terminus is sequentially removed through a cyclization–cleavage process and identified as a stable derivative. This method employs a chemical reaction in which phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC) specifically reacts with the N-terminal amino acid, allowing for stepwise cleavage and ........

• • Edman Sequencing vs. Mass Spectrometry: A Comparison of Protein Sequencing Techniques

  Edman Sequencing and Mass Spectrometry (MS) are two of the most widely employed protein sequencing techniques for elucidating the primary structure of proteins. Edman sequencing involves stepwise chemical cleavage, whereas Mass Spectrometry utilizes ionization and fragmentation processes followed by analysis of the resulting mass-to-charge ratios. This paper presents a detailed comparison of these two methods, aiming to clarify their respective strengths, limitations, and appropriate applications.

• • Role and Limitations of Edman Degradation in Protein Analysis

  Edman degradation has been widely utilized in biochemistry, proteomics, and structural biology since its introduction by Swedish scientist Pehr Edman in 1950. This method primarily determines the N-terminal amino acid sequence of proteins and continues to play a significant role in analyzing their primary structure. However, with the rapid advancement of modern mass spectrometry technology, the scope of Edman degradation has become increasingly limited. This paper discusses the specific applications and....

• • Overview: N-terminus and C-terminus

  Proteins execute their functions based on highly defined three-dimensional structures, the formation of which originates from the linear sequence of amino acids. Within this polypeptide chain, the two termini—the amino terminus (N-terminus) and the carboxyl terminus (C-terminus)—represent not only the start and end of protein biosynthesis, but also serve as critical regulatory sites influencing protein localization, stability, and degradation. A comprehensive understanding of the structural and functional..

• • How to Determine N or C-Terminus

  In protein research, accurately identifying the N-terminus (amino terminus) and C-terminus (carboxyl terminus) is a foundational step toward understanding protein structure and function. Whether validating translation initiation sites, recognizing signal peptides, studying post-translational modifications, constructing expression vectors, or developing targeted therapeutics, the precise annotation of terminal regions is essential. This article provides a systematic analysis of the biological significance...

• • What Is Edman Sequencing? A Key Technology in Protein Sequencing Explained

  Proteins play essential roles in virtually all biological processes, and their primary structure—the linear sequence of amino acids—determines their function. To investigate protein structure and function, it is essential to first understand their amino acid composition and sequence. As such, protein sequencing represents a critical step in modern life science research and biopharmaceutical development. Among various sequencing methods, Edman sequencing is widely recognized as a classical approach for......

• • How to Know C and N Terminus in a Primary Sequence

  The primary sequence of a protein is a linear chain of amino acids covalently linked by peptide bonds in a defined order. At the two ends of this polypeptide chain lie the N-terminus (amino terminus, N-terminal) and the C-terminus (carboxyl terminus, C-terminal), respectively. Accurate identification of the N-terminus and C-terminus is essential for protein characterization, functional analysis, studies of post-translational modifications (PTMs), and quality control in biopharmaceutical development.

• • What Is the Difference between Targeted and Untargeted Proteomics

  Targeted proteomics and untargeted proteomics represent two widely used but fundamentally different strategies in proteomics research. They differ significantly in research objectives, methodological approaches, data output, and appropriate application scenarios. A clear understanding of their distinctions is crucial for researchers to design experiments effectively, interpret results accurately, and select suitable analytical platforms. 1. Different Research Objectives: Quantitative Accuracy........