Post-Translational Modifications of Proteins: Detecting These Molecular Switches That Regulate Much of Eukaryotic Cell Biology

Neil Kelleher, Biochemistry, UIUC

Within the field of Mass Spectrometry-based proteome analysis, the new "Top Down" approach to interrogation of proteins will be described. It combines the protein separation science with a Quadrupole/Fourier-Transform hybrid mass spectrometer (Q-FTMS) and custom U of I software to enable efficient characterization of biological events that change the mass of protein molecules from that predicted by an annotated genome sequence. Top Down Mass Spectrometry holds promise for improved diagnostics for human health and a deeper understanding of the signaling and regulatory "codes" eukaryotic cells use that are written in the language of post-translational modification. Protein examples from Archaea, yeast, and especially human cells will be described, including characterization of histone modifications using a new database strategy termed "shotgun annotation".

Slides Audio