PROTEOME ANALYSIS OF SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE - A METHODOLOGICAL OUTLINE

Proteome analysis offers a unique means of identifying important prote ins, characterizing their modifications and beginning to describe thei r function. This is achieved through the combination of two technologi es: protein separation and selection by two-dimensional gel electropho resis, and protein identification and characterization by mass spectro metry. This methodological outline sketches the strengths and weakness es of the two central technologies used, and provides both practical t ips and the theoretical background for their utilization. One applicat ion of these technologies is illustrated by the characterization of ge nes, revealed by sequencing, but which have no -or only weak homology -to any other known genes. Other applications, for example the identif ication of protein markers for particular human diseases, are only ref erred to. The aim of the article is thus to provide the basis for a so und understanding of the full potential and limitations of proteome an alysis.