Analytical techniques and computer algorithms combined for the rapid characterization of structural peptide and protein features

The most recent algorithms based on the use of modern analytical techniques for the assessment of structural peptide and protein features have been re viewed. No algorithm devoted to the realization of predictive models or sta tistical analysis has been discussed, but only methods furnishing informati on on the real structure of the molecules. In particular, the procedures de signed for handling sequence and mass spectrometric data obtained from the analysis of unfractionated digestion mixtures allow the user to get rapid i nformation on the structure of the target polypeptide. Two classes of metho ds are illustrated: the first regards the determination of the amino acid s equence, whereas the second used its knowledge to supply data on the locali zation, function and three-dimensional structure of disulphides.