The application of mass spectrometry to membrane proteomics

Nat Biotechnol. 2003 Mar;21(3):262-7. doi: 10.1038/nbt0303-262.

Abstract

Membrane proteins perform some of the most important functions in the cell, including the regulation of cell signaling through surface receptors, cell-cell interactions, and the intracellular compartmentalization of organelles. Recent developments in proteomic strategies have focused on the inclusion of membrane proteins in high-throughput analyses. While slow and steady progress continues to be made in gel-based technologies, significant advances have been reported in non-gel shotgun methods using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC/MS). These latter strategies facilitate the identification of large numbers of membrane proteins and modifications, and have the potential to provide insights into protein topology and orientation in membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional / methods
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Weight
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins