MASS-SPECTROMETRIC PEPTIDE AND PROTEIN CHARTING

Six years after coining the term 'mass spectrometric (MS) peptide char ting' for the component analysis of peptide mixtures in a whole tissue , body fluid, or an extract thereof, we offer our current perspective of this field. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and electro spray ionization have replaced plasma desorption and fast atom bombard ment as ionization methods of choice. At the same time, the upper mass range has been extended to now include most peptides and proteins of interest to research on cell-cell communication. In addition to qualit ative aspects, quantitative applications of MS charting have become im portant. In combination with new database search algorithms, on-line l iquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry promises greater dividen ds from MS charting than are achievable with molecular mass matching a lone. We discuss what is and is not yet possible, and consider foresee able means for overcoming current limitations. Our intent is to encour age researchers in the biological and medical sciences to take advanta ge of this powerful methodology in their various fields of endeavor.