Proteomic approaches to the analysis of multiprotein signaling complexes

Proteomics. 2008 Feb;8(4):832-51. doi: 10.1002/pmic.200700650.

Abstract

Signal transduction is one of the most active fields in modern biomedical research. Increasing evidence has shown that signaling proteins associate with each other in characteristic ways to form large signaling complexes. These diverse structures operate to boost signaling efficiency, ensure specificity and increase sensitivity of the biochemical circuitry. Traditional methods of protein analysis are inadequate to fully characterize and understand these structures, which are intricate, contain many components and are highly dynamic. Instead, proteomics technologies are currently being applied to investigate the nature and composition of multimeric signaling complexes. This review presents commonly used and potential proteomic methods of analyzing diverse protein complexes along with a discussion and a brief evaluation of alternative approaches. Challenges associated with proteomic analysis of signaling complexes are also discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Affinity Labels
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Isotope Labeling
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry*
  • Multiprotein Complexes / isolation & purification
  • Multiprotein Complexes / physiology*
  • Phosphoproteins / isolation & purification
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Validation Studies as Topic

Substances

  • Affinity Labels
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Phosphoproteins