Optimization of Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis for Kenaf Leaf Proteins

To establish a suitable and effective protocol of protein extraction for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis （2-DE） analysis in kenaf leaf tissues, three extraction methods （trichloroacetic acid/acetone, urea/thiourea, and phenol extraction methods） were applied to the extraction of kenaf leaf protein. The results were compared in regard to protein extraction efficiency, sodiumdodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis （SDS-PAGE）, and 2-DE gels. Furthermore, the 2-DE system was optimized for four aspects： the pH range of IPG （immobilized pH gradient） stripes, sampling methods, sample volumes, and concentration of polyacrylamide gels. The data presented showed that the phenol extraction method is the best method to perform 2-DE analysis of kenaf leaf protein. The protein extracted from phenol extraction method reached the purity of （26.40±0.859）%, showed （25.67±1.53） protein bands in one dimension SDS-PAGE gels, and （1 374±54.44） protein spots on 2-DE gels. The research also indicates that kenaf leaf protein spots were distributed mainly within the pH range of 4-8. More clear background with a better distribution effect and many protein spots could be obtained on 2-DE gels under the conditions of active rehydration loading, 24 cm IPG strips （linear pH gradient of 4-7）, 1.4 mg samples, and 12% SDS-PAGE gels.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry for detection of protein expression profiles in the hippocampus following closed brain injury

Gene expression profile changes in brain regions following traumatic brain injury at the gene level cannot sufficiently elucidate gene expression time, expression amount, protein post-translational processing or modification. Therefore, it is necessary to quantitatively analyze the gene expression profile using proteomic techniques. In the present study, we established a rat model of closed brain injury using Marmarou＇s weight-drop device, and investigated hippocampal differential protein expression using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry. A total of 364 protein peaks were detected on weak cation exchange-2 protein chips, including 37 differential protein peaks. 345 protein peaks were detected on immobilized metal affinity capture arrays-Cu, including 12 differential protein peaks Further examination of these differential proteins revealed that glucose-regulated protein and proteasome subunit alpha type 3 expression were significantly upregulated post-injury. These results indicate that brain injury can alter protein expression in the hippocampus, and that glucose-regulated protein and proteasome subunit alpha type 3 are closely associated with the occurrence and development of traumatic brain injury.

Specific protein expression in a rat model of early focal cerebral ischemia:Fluorescent two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis

BACKGROUND： The use of fluorescent two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis （2D-DIGE） has been shown to compensate for the shortcomings of conventional two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, such as poor repeatability and large systematic errors. However, little information is presently available regarding the use of 2D-DIGE to investigate mechanisms of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. Plasma and body fluids have been utilized in proteomic technology to study ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE： To perform proteomic analysis of fresh rat brain tissue in peripheral ischemic regions using 2D-DIGE 6 hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO）, and to identify specific proteins closely associated with early ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Proteomics-based, randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Laboratories of Neurology and Proteomics, Jilin University between January and April 2006. MATERIALS： 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride was purchased from Sigma, USA. Ettan DALTSix system, DeCyder DIA V5.0 differential analysis software, and Ettan matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer （MALDI-TOF-MS） were purchased from Amersham Bioscience, Sweden. METHODS： Eight healthy, male, Wistar rats were randomized to experimental and control groups, with four rats in each group. In the experimental group, rat models of focal cerebral ischemia were established by MCAO. In the control group, the internal and external carotid arteries were exposed and then immediately sutured, and the remaining procedures were identical to the experimental group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At 6 hours after cerebral ischemia, protein expression in the peripheral ischemia region of the experimental group was compared with the control group using 2D-DIGE. Protein spots that exhibited statistical differences between experimental and control groups with 〉 1.4 attributable risk were screened using DeCyder DIA V5.0 differential analysis software. Differential proteins were identified using MALDI-TOF-MS. RESULTS： Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining results revealed pink, normal brain tissue and white, ischemic brain tissue, suggesting successful MCAO establishment. The average matching rate of four 2D-DIGE gels was 92.4%. There were （1 758 ± 43） protein spots on each gel, with similar distribution modes. At 6 hours after focal cerebral ischemia, 13 protein spots exhibited marked expression changes, including significantly increased （n = 7） and decreased （n = 6） expression （P 〈 0.05）. MALDI-TOF-MS results revealed two differential protein spots： a-tubulin and heat shock protein 27, which were significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Thirteen protein spots with expression changes were revealed by 2D-DIGE proteomics technology. Of them, a-tubulin and heat shock protein 27 expressions were markedly decreased during the early stage of cerebral ischemia. These two proteins were presumed to be proteins associated with early ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.

Two-dimensional Electrophoresis Analysis of Differential Protein Expression in Squamous Carcinoma of the Cervix

Objective： To establish and optimize the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis （2-DE） maps of squamous carcinoma of the cervix and to study the protein difference between squamous carcinoma of the cervix （SCC） and normal cervical tissue. Methods： Using Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by computer-assisted image analysis, the differential proteins between squamous carcinoma of the cervical tissue and normal cervical tissue were compared. Then using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, the differential proteins were identified. Results： The well-resolved and reproducible two-dimensional gel electrophoresis patterns of squamous carcinoma of the cervix tissue and normal cervical tissue were obtained. After silver staining, the average matching ratio of squamous carcinoma of the cervix was 86.1%. There was a good reproducibility of spot position in 2-DE map, with average deviation in IEF direction of 0.95±0.13 mm, while in SDS-PAGE direction it was 1.20±0.18 mm. Ten protein spots were identified by mass spectrometry, some of which were involved in cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, intracellular enzymes, structural proteins, cycle regulation, and tumor occurrence. Conclusion： The differentially expressed proteins provide a fundamental basis for further study of human squamous carcinoma of the cervix and screening of its specific markers.

Cerebrospinal fluid diagnostic markers for two-dimensional electrophoresis-mass spectrometry in Parkinson’s disease patients

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have confirmed the existence of specific proteins in body fluid of Parkinson＇s disease （PD） patients. However, the existing research has contained several interference factors with poor reproducibility and has not focused on patients grouped according to disease duration. OBJECTIVE： To verify differential expression of proteins in cerebrospinal fluid of PD patients grouped in order of disease severity through the use of two-dimensional electrophoresis-mass spectrometry methods. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The proteomic-based, case-control study was performed between September 2008 and June 2009 at the Key Laboratory of Neurology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 52 outpatients and/or inpatients, who were admitted to the Department of Neurology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between 2008 and 2009, were randomized into the present study. Among them, 27 PD patients served as the PD group and were assigned to three subgroups according to modified Webster, Hoehn, and Yahr rating scales： 14 = mild, 8 = moderate, and 5 = severe; non-PD group of 16 patients included 5 cases of viral meningitis, 3 cases of acute myelitis, 1 case of Guillain-Barre syndrome, 2 cases of tuberculous meningitis, 2 cases of restless legs syndrome, and 3 cases of essential tremor; control group （n = 9） consisted of muscular tension headache in 6 cases, as well as syncope, trigeminal neuralgia, idiopathic orthostatic hypotension in 1 case. METHODS： Cerebrospinal fluid was collected from the involved patients using the lumbar puncture method. Proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Characteristics of protein electrophoresis patterns were analyzed, differentially expressed proteins were detected using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry, and protein data were analyzed in the Mascot database. RESULTS： Five protein electropherograms were analyzed by PDQuest 8.0, and （789 ± 32） protein spots were observed. There were significant differences in four protein spots in each of the PD sub-groups compared with the non-disease and control groups. Expression was down-regulated in three protein spots and up-regulated in one protein spot; 100% repetition rate was observed in four protein spots. According to the Mascot database, protein spots with down-regulated expression were as follows： DNA-guided RNA polymerase III subunit RPC5 （score： 50 points）; double serine, threonine, and tyrosine protein kinase （score： 64 points, P 〈 0.05）; activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein （score： 58 points, P 〈 0.05）. However, G2 mitotic-specific cyclin was up-regulated （score： 84 points, P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Differential protein expression in the cerebrospinal fluid of PD patients was detected by two-dimensional electrophoresis-mass spectrometry, revealing changes in DNA-guided RNA polymerase III subunit RPC5, double serine, threonine, and tyrosine protein kinase, activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein, and G2 mitotic cell cyclin, with good reproducibility.

Identification of differentially expressed proteins in human stage Ⅰ lung adenocarcinoma and tumor-adjacent tissues with two-dimension gel electrophoresis profiling

Objective： The aim of this study was to establish reproducible two-dimensional electrophoretic assay used for profiling and identification of differentially expressed proteins in human stage I lung adenocarcinoma and paired normal tumor-adjacent tissue. Methods： The proteins from 12 human stage I lung adenocarcinoma tissues and normal tumor-adjacent tissues were separated using isoelectric focusing electrophoresis （the first dimension） and the subsequent homogeneous SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis （SDS-PAGE） （the second dimension）. The differentially expressed proteins were determined with PDQuest image analysis software, and identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry （MALDI-TOF-MS） and database searching. Results： The well-reproducible 2-DE gel patterns of human stage I lung adenocarcinoma and normal tumor-adjacent tissues were profiled and 26 differentially expressed proteins uncovered. Nine of these 26 protein spots were cut out from the preparation gels and determined with MALDI-TOF-MS. Searching against the protein database, four candidate proteins were identified. They were 60S acidic ribosomal protein P2, Cathepsin B1, Apolipoprotein A-I precursor, and La 4.1 protein. Conclusion： In this study, high reproducible 2-DE gel protein images of human stage I lung adenocarcinoma and paired normal tumor-adjacent tissues were achieved successfully, and 4 differentially expressed proteins were revealed. These data will be helpful for screen of early biomarker and study of molecular mechanisms of human lung adenocarcinoma.

Analysis of Proteomic Components of Sera from Patients with Uremia by Two Dimensional Electrophoresis and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

Summary： The different sera proteomic components between uremia patients and normal subjects were studied through two-dimensional gel electrophoresis technique. Immobilized pH gradient two- dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis （2DE）, silver staining, ImageMaster 2D 5.0 analysis software, matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry （MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS） and IPI human database searching were used to separate and identify the proteome of the sera from the patients with uremia. The results showed that satisfactory 2DE patterns of the serum proteins were obtained. Twenty-six protein spots showed significant difference in quantity in uremia patients, and 20 protein spots were identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS. It was concluded that good reproducibility could be obtained by applying immobilized pH gradient 2DE to separate and identify the proteome in serum, which provided the foundation for the further study on uremia toxins oertaining to orotein.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis of the proteomes expressed in the human hepatoma cell line BEL-7404 and normal liver cell line L-02

Proteome analysis technology has been used extensively in conducting discovery research of biology and has become one of the most essential technologies in functional genomics. The proteomes of the human hepatoma cell line BEL-7404 and the normal human liver cell line L-02 have been separated by high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) with immobilized pH gradient isoelectric focusing (IPG-IEF) in the first dimension and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in the second dimension (IPG-DALT). The resulting images have been analyzed using 2-D analysis software. Quantitative analysis reveals that 7 protein spots are detected only in hepatoma BEL-7404 cells, 14 only in L-02 cells, and 78 protein spots show significant fluctuation in quantity in both cell lines (P【0.01). These protein spots have been displayed on a proteome differential expression map. Analysis for the reproducibility of 2-DE indicates that the positional variability in the IEF dimension

Comparative proteome analysis of Helicobacter pylori clinical strains by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Objective： To investigate the pathogenic properties of Helicobacterpylori by comparing the proteome map of H. pylori clinical strains. Methods： Two wild-type H. pylori strains, YN8 （isolated from biopsy tissue of a gastric cancer patient） and YN14 （isolated from biopsy tissue of a gastritis and duodenal ulcer patient）, were used. Proteomic analysis, using a pH range of 3-10 and 5-8, was performed. The individual proteins were identified by quadrupole time-of-flight （Q-TOF） mass spectrometer and protein database search. Results： Variation in spot patterns directed towards differential protein expression levels was observed between the strains. The gel revealed prominent proteins with several protein ＂families＂. The comparison of protein expressions of the two strains reveals a high variability. Differentially present or absent spots were observed. Nine differentially expressed protein spots identified by Q-TOF included adenosine triphosphate （ATP）-binding protein, disulfide oxidoreductase B （DsbB）-Iike protein, N utilization substance A （NusA）, ATP-dependent protease binding subunit/heat shock protein, hydantoin utilization protein A, seryl-tRNA synthetase, molybdenum ABC transporter ModD, and hypothetical proteins. Conclusions： This study suggests that H. pylori strains express/repress protein variation, not only in terms of the virulence proteins, but also in terms of physiological proteins, when they infect a human host. The difference of protein expression levels between H. pylori strains isolated from gastric cancer and gastritis may be the initiator of inflammation, and result in the different clinical presentation. In this preliminary study, we report seven differential proteins between strains, with molecule weights from approximately 10 kDa to approximately 40 kDa. Further studies are needed to investigate those proteins and their function associated with H. pylori colonization and adaptation to host environment stress.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in bacterial proteomics

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis(2-DE)is a gel-based technique widely used for analyzing the pro-tein composition of biological samples.It is capable of resolving complex mixtures containing more than a thousand protein components into individual protein spots through the coupling of two orthogonal bio-physical separation techniques:isoelectric focusing(first dimension)and polyacrylamide gel electrophore-sis(second dimension).2-DE is ideally suited for ana-lyzing the entire expressed protein complement of a bacterial cell:its proteome.Its relative simplicity and good reproducibility have led to 2-DE being widely used for exploring proteomics within a wide range of envi-ronmental and medically-relevant bacteria.Here we give a broad overview of the basic principles and his-torical development of gel-based proteomics,and how this powerful approach can be applied for studying bacterial biology and physiology.We highlight specific 2-DE applications that can be used to analyze when,where and how much proteins are expressed.The links between proteomics,genomics and mass spectrometry are discussed.We explore how proteomics involving tandem mass spectrometry can be used to analyze(post-translational)protein modifications or to identify proteins of unknown origin by de novo peptide se-quencing.The use of proteome fractionation tech-niques and non-gel-based proteomic approaches are also discussed.We highlight how the analysis of pro-teins secreted by bacterial cells(secretomes or exo-proteomes)can be used to study infection processes or the immune response.This review is aimed at non-specialists who wish to gain a concise,compre-hensive and contemporary overview of the nature and applications of bacterial proteomics.

Comparative Analyses of Proteome Complement Between Worker Bee Larvae of High Royal Jelly Producing Bees (A. m. ligustica) and Carniolian Bees (A. m. carnica)

This study is to compare the protein composition of the high royal jelly producing bee （A. m. ligustica） with that of Carniolian bee （A. m. carnica） during their worker larval developmental stage. The experiment was carried out by two- dimensional gel electrophoresis. The results showed that significant higher numbers of total proteins （283） were detected in larvae of high royal jelly producing bees （Jelly bee） than those of Carniolian bees （152） on 2-d-old larvae. Among them, 110 proteins were presented on both strains of bee larvae, whereas 173 proteins were specific to larvae of Jelly bees, and 42 proteins were exclusive to Carniolian larvae. However, on the 4th d, a significant higher number of total proteins （290） were detected in larvae of Jelly bees than those of Carniolian bees （240）, 163 proteins resolved to both bee larvae, and 127 proteins were specific to Jelly bees and 77 proteins to Camiolian bees. Until the 6th d, also a significant higher number of total proteins （236） were detected in larvae of Jelly bees than those of Carniolian bees （180）, 132 proteins were constantly expressed in two bee larvae, whereas 104 and 48 proteins are unique to Jelly bee and Carniolian bee larvae, respectively. We tentatively concluded that the metabolic rate and gene expression of Jelly bees larvae is higher than those of Carniolian bees based proteins detected as total proteins and proteins specific to each stage of two strains of bee larvae. Proteins constantly expressed on 3 stages of larval development with some significant differences between two bee strains, and proteins unique to each stage expressed differences in term of quality and quantity, indicating that larval development needed house keeping and specific proteins to regulate its growth at different development phage, but the expression mold is different between two strains of larval development.

Profile Analysis of the Proteome of the Egg of the High Royal Jelly Producing Bees (Apis mellifera L.)

The protein composition of the egg development in the high royal jelly producing bees （Apis mellifera L.） was investigated. This pioneer study was to separate and quantify the proteins in the egg of the high royal jelly producing worker bees （Apis mellifera L.） by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis along with their three-day development. The results showed that 160, 195, and 176 proteins, with a wide range of molecular weight （17-80 KDa） and relatively narrow scope of pI （4. 00-8.40） could be detected on day 1, day 2, and day 3, respectively, during the developmental process of the egg. Meanwhile 44 protein spots were constantly detected along with the egg development. Among them 36% were in the uptrend along with the egg development, 14% were in the downtrend, and 39% were of the largest expressed volume on day 2. In addition, the specific proteins were expressed on day 1, day 2, and day 3 （89, 77, and 80, respectively）. Besides the coexistent and specific proteins, 24 proteins were expressed on day 1 and day 2, but silenced on day 3, 49 proteins were expressed on day 2 and day 3, but silenced on day 1, only 3 proteins were expressed on day 1 and day 3, but silenced on day 2. The result indicates that egg development is a sequential and complex gene controlled process, where the eggs of day 2 express the most active proteins. The coexistent proteins suggest that it is conservative and indispensable for this event. These specific proteins suggest that the different developmental stage needs specific proteins to regulate it.

Two-dimensional electrophoretogram of acute brain injury-associated proteins Comparison between injured and normal cerebral cortex

BACKGROUND： To this date, specific molecular markers for early diagnosis and prognosis monitoring of craniocerebral injury in clinical medicine do not exist. Therefore, differential detection of specific proteins might play an important role in diagnosis and treatment of this type of brain injury. OBJECTIVE： To compare differential cerebral cortical protein expression of craniocerebral injury patients and normal subjects through the use of proteomics. DESIGN： Contrast observation. SETTING： Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. PARTICIPANTS： Ten patients （6 males and 4 females, 20 58 years old）, with severe craniocerebral injury, were selected at the Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, from June 2004 to December 2006. All patients were diagnosed with CT test and Glasgow test （scores 〈 8）. Surgery was performed 4-12 hours after craniocerebral injury, and injured cortical tissues of the frontal and temporal lobes were resected for sampling. At the same time, control cortical tissues were collected from frontal and temporal lobes of 2 epileptic patients who underwent hippocampus-nucleus amygdala resection, and 2 lateral ventricular tumor patients who underwent tumor resection. The participants and their relatives provided confirmed consent, and this study received confirrned consent from the local ethics committee. METHODS： Ten samples from injured patients and 4 normal samples were compared through the use of proteomics. Total protein was separated by using two-dimensional electrophoresis with immobilized pH gradients, and the differential protein expressions were compared using image analysis after blue-sliver staining. Differential protein spot expressions were analyzed with a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry （MALDI/TOF MS） and electrospray ionization-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry （ESI-Qq TOF MS）. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：① Two-dimensional electrophoresis of protein from cerebral cortex; ② differential protein expression. RESULTS： ① Two-dimensional electrophoresis of protein from cerebral cortex： two-dimensional gel electrophoretogram, which is considered to have high resolution and consistent duplication, was performed on injured cortical tissues and normal cortical tissues. The image analysis system detected 21 differential protein spots. ② Differential protein spot expressions： mass spectrometry resulted in 17 differential protein spots that related to metabolic response, oxidative stress response, and signal transduction. CONCLUSION： MALDI/TOF MS and ESI-Qq TOF MS are exceptional methods for evaluating differential protein expression. Results from this study indicated 17 different craniocerebral injury-associated proteins.

PHProteomicDB:A Module for Two-dimensional Gel Electrophoresis Database Creation on Personal Web Sites

PHProteomicDB is a PHP-written module to help researchers in proteomics to share two-dimenslonal gel electrophoresis data using personal web sites. No technical or PHP knowledge is necessary except a few basics about web site management. PHProteomicDB has a user-friendly administration interface to enter and update data. It creates web pages on the fly displaying gel characteristics, gel pictures, and numbered gel spots with their related identifications pointing to their reference pages in protein databanks. The module is freely available at http：//www.huvec.com/index.php3？rub=Download.

Proteome Changes in Maize Embryo(Zea mays L)Induced by Ion Beam Implantation Treatment

Low energy ion beam implantation was applied to the maize （Zea mays L） embryo proteome using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Protein profile analysis detected more than Ii00 protein spots, 72 of which were determined to be expressed differently in the treated and control （not exposed to ion beam implantation） embryos. Of the 72 protein spots, 53 were up- regulated in the control and 19 were more abundantly expressed in the ion beam-treated embryos. The spots of up- or down-regulated proteins were identified by matrix assisted laser desorption /ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry （MALDI-TOF-MS）. Among the identified proteins, ii were up-regulated in the treated embryos. Four of these up-regulated proteins were antioxidant molecules, three were related to stress response, two to sugar metabolism and two were associated with heat shock response. Of the five proteins up-regulated in the control embryos, three were functionally related to carbohydrate metabolism; the functions of the remaining two proteins were unknown. The data collected during this study indicate that treatment of maize embryos with low energy ion beam implantation induces changes in stress tolerance enzymes/proteins, possibly as a result of alterations in metabolism.

Analysis of Developmental Proteome at Egg Stage of Drone Honeybees (A. m. ligustica)

An investigation on the proteome of drone egg development of native Italian bee （Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola,1806） was carried out in order to prove up the characteristics in protein expression and regulation at egg stage and open out the molecular mechanism of the development. The experiment was carried out by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The results showed that there were 200, 242 and 233 proteins in a wide rang of molecular weight （12.42-169.60 kDa） and in a relatively narrow scope of pI （4.50-9.00） detected on day 1, day 2 and day 3, respectively, during the developmental process of the drone egg. Meanwhile, 164 protein spots were resolved at all the images （i.e., the protein was consistently expressed） along with the egg development, among which 7 were significantly up-expressed （P 〈 0.05） and 4 were significantly down-expressed （P 〈 0.05） while 79 had no significant differences （P 〉 0.05）. In addition, the specific proteins expressing proteins on day 1, day 2 and day 3 were 11, 18 and 18, respectively. Besides, 17 proteins expressed both on day 1 and day 2 but silenced on day 3, and 43 proteins expressed both on day 2 and day 3 but silenced on day 1, while only 8 proteins expressed both on day 1 and day 3 but silenced on day 2. The results indicate that 2-d-old eggs are at the most active expressional stage in the development of drone egg. The protein expressing at all images suggests that it should be indispensable for drone egg development, but their expression pattern is different. The proteins expressing at a specific age of egg suggest that specific proteins are needed in different developmental stages to regulate. And there are more house-keeping proteins in the developmental process of the drone egg than that of worker egg, and it will provide more targets for gene improvement.

Application of proteome technology in screening biomarkers associated with gastric cancer

Objective: To initially explore the application of proteome technologies in study of serum, to establish two-dimen-sional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) profiles of human gastric cancer serum and paired normal serum, and to screen and identify differentially expressed proteins in poorly-differentiated gastric cancer serum and paired normal serum, in which try to find out significant biomarker candidates for gastric cancer. Methods: 2-DE was adopted to separate the total proteins of poorly-differentiated gastric cancer serum and paired normal serum. After staining and analyzing by ImageMaster 2D Elite software, the differentially expressed proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight- mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Results: 2-DE serum profiles with high resolution were obtained. Five protein spots were found as differentially-expressed proteins and identified as Serpin B6 (Placental thrombin inhibitor) Cytoplasmic antiproteinase (CAP) (Protease inhibitor6) (PI-6), Septin-1 (LARP) (Serologically defined breast cancer antigen NY-BR-24), Kallikrein-6 precursor (Protease M) (Neurosin) (Zyme) (SP59), Hemoglobin beta chain, Hemoglobin beta chain and Beta-defensin 108 precursor (Beta-defensin 8) (DEFB-8). Conclusion: The differential proteins were demonstrated to present in poorly-differentiated gastric cancer serum and paired normal serum. The molecular biomarkers associated with poorly differentiated gastric cancer could be possibly identified by the high throughput screening proteome technology.

Plant Proteomics in the Post-genomic Era

Proteomics is one of the most active research fields in the post-genomic era. Here we briefly introduce the scientific background of the origination of proteomics and its content, research method. The new developments of proteomics at the levels of individual plants, tissues, organs and organells, as well as its applications in the area of plant genetic diversity, mutant characterization, and plant physiology, etc are reviewed. At last, the challenge and prospect of proteomics are discussed.

Comparative proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins in human pancreatic cancer tissue

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is difficult because of the latent onset and lack of good biomarkers. This study aimed to look for and identify differentially expressed proteins in tissues of pancreatic cancer and adjacent noncancerous tissues by proteomic approaches so as to provide information about possible pancreatic cancer markers and therapeutic targets. METHODS: Proteins extracted front 3 paired adjacent noncancerous and cancerous pancreatic tissue specimens were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The protein spots exhibiting statistical alternations between the two groups through computerized image analysis were then identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). In addition, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to verify the expression of certain candidate proteins. RESULTS: Twelve proteins were significantly upregulated and 4 were downregulated between cancerous and paired adjacent noncancerous pancreatic tissues. Several proteins (S100A11, Ig gamma-l chain C region, GSTO1 and peroxiredoxin 4) were found for the first time to be associated with pancreatic cancer. Differential expression of some identified proteins was further confirmed by Western blotting analysis and/or immunohistochemical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Comparative proteomic analysis using 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-MS is an effective method for identifying differentially expressed proteins that may be the potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer.

Comparative proteomics analysis of human gastric cancer

AIM: To isolate and identify differentially expressed proteins between cancer and normal tissues of gastric cancer by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). METHODS: Soluble fraction proteins of gastric cancer tissues and paired normal tissues were separated by 2-DE. The differentially expressed proteins were selected and identified by MALDI-TOF-MS and database search. RESULTS: 2-DE profiles with high resolution and reproducibility were obtained. Twenty-three protein spots were excised from sliver staining gel and digested in gel by trypsin, in which fifteen protein spots were identified successfully. Among the identified proteins, there were ten over-expressed and five under-expressed proteins in stomach cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. CONCLUSION: In this study, the well-resolved, reproducible 2-DE patterns of human gastric cancer tissue and paired normal tissue were established and optimized and certain differentially-expressed proteins were identified. The combined use of 2-DE and MS provides an effective approach to screen for potential tumor markers.