Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- A protein identification method that combines liquid chromatography with ion-trap mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) can deliver the increased speed, sensitivity and structural information needed to advance the rapidly growing field of proteomics, according to Dr. Christopher Becker, senior director of proteomics technology for Thermo Finnigan. In a recent study, this method identified nearly four times as many proteins in a fraction of the time taken by traditional methods using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
Becker, speaking here at the annual meeting of the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities, presented results of a protein identification study conducted recently at Thermo Finnigan laboratories in San Jose, Calif. In the study, a small sample -- about 100,000 cells -- of secreted proteins from Hep-G2 (human liver hepatoblastoma) cells was analyzed during a five-hour period using Thermo Finnigan's Surveyor(TM) liquid chromatography equipment and a Finnigan LCQ(TM) Deca ion-trap mass spectrometer. The acquired results were then searched against an indexed human protein database using TurboSequest(TM) software. A total of 95 proteins was identified using these procedures.
By contrast, a Swiss study using more traditional methods with 2-D gels identified 25 secreted proteins from Hep-G2 cells. Of these 25, the LC-MS/MS method identified 24, plus many more.
``We recognize that methods using LC/MS/MS will not replace 2-D gel methods for all research problems,'' Becker said. ``However, we believe a combination of chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry offers increased speed and sensitivity that will be useful in numerous research situations.''
Thermo Finnigan scientists conducted studies on two other types of proteins from Hep-G2 cells. Using an 80-microgram sample of cytoplasmic proteins, the scientists identified 407 proteins in a five-hour period. Using a 30-microgram sample of nuclear proteins, they identified 442 proteins in a five-hour period.
The field of proteomics strives to identify proteins and understand their interaction within the body. Armed with this knowledge, pharmaceutical companies can more quickly develop drugs that address interactions that cause disease. Some researchers estimate that there could be as many as 300,000 different proteins in the human body, so research tools and techniques that accelerate their identification are valuable to medical research.
Thermo Finnigan is a leading supplier of total laboratory solutions for the analytical and life sciences industries. Product offerings include mass spectrometers, liquid chromatography equipment, gas chromatography equipment and multi-instrument combinations of these products, as well as a complete range of advanced software solutions. In addition, the company develops and distributes consumable supplies for the chromatography industry. Thermo Finnigan is a Thermo Electron (NYSE: TMO - news) business.... |
