Department of Biochemistry, Plant Genetics Research Unit, University of Missouri, Columbia, 65211, USA.
Biochem J. 2012 Jun 1;444(2):169-81. doi: 10.1042/BJ20110363.
A newcomer to the -omics era, proteomics, is a broad instrument-intensive research area that has advanced rapidly since its inception less than 20 years ago. Although the 'wet-bench' aspects of proteomics have undergone a renaissance with the improvement in protein and peptide separation techniques, including various improvements in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and gel-free or off-gel protein focusing, it has been the seminal advances in MS that have led to the ascension of this field. Recent improvements in sensitivity, mass accuracy and fragmentation have led to achievements previously only dreamed of, including whole-proteome identification, and quantification and extensive mapping of specific PTMs (post-translational modifications). With such capabilities at present, one might conclude that proteomics has already reached its zenith; however, 'capability' indicates that the envisioned goals have not yet been achieved. In the present review we focus on what we perceive as the areas requiring more attention to achieve the improvements in workflow and instrumentation that will bridge the gap between capability and achievement for at least most proteomes and PTMs. Additionally, it is essential that we extend our ability to understand protein structures, interactions and localizations. Towards these ends, we briefly focus on selected methods and research areas where we anticipate the next wave of proteomic advances.
蛋白质组学是组学时代的一个新领域，是一个广泛的仪器密集型研究领域，自不到 20 年前成立以来发展迅速。尽管蛋白质组学的“湿实验”方面随着蛋白质和肽分离技术的改进（包括二维凝胶电泳和无胶或凝胶外蛋白质聚焦的各种改进）而复兴，但正是 MS 的开创性进展导致了该领域的崛起。近年来，灵敏度、质量精度和碎片化的提高带来了以前只能梦想的成就，包括全蛋白质组鉴定、特定 PTM（翻译后修饰）的定量和广泛映射。有了目前的这些能力，人们可能会得出结论，蛋白质组学已经达到了顶峰；然而，“能力”表明预期的目标尚未实现。在本综述中，我们重点关注我们认为需要更多关注的领域，以实现工作流程和仪器的改进，从而弥合至少大多数蛋白质组学和 PTM 之间的能力和成就差距。此外，扩展我们理解蛋白质结构、相互作用和定位的能力至关重要。为此，我们简要地关注了一些我们预计蛋白质组学下一波浪潮将出现的方法和研究领域。
