The role of mass spectrometry in proteome studies

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an important tool in modern protein chemistry. In proteome analyses the expression of hundreds or thousands of proteins can be monitored at the same time. First, complex protein mixtures are separate d by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and then individual protein s are identified by using MS followed by database searches. Recent developm ents in this field have made it possible to do automated, high-throughput p rotein identification that is needed in proteome analyses. MS can also be u sed to characterize post-translational modifications in proteins and to stu dy protein complexes. This review will introduce the current MS methods use d in proteome studies. and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. New instrumental MS developments are also presented that are useful in these an alyses. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.