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How does proteomics examine the proteins found in cells?
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bioinformatics
This computerized image of anthrax shows the various structural relationships of seven units within the protein and demonstrates the interaction of a drug (shown in yellow) bound to the protein to block the so-called lethal factor unit. Bioinformatics plays an important role in enabling scientists to predict where a drug molecule will bind within a protein, given the individual structures of the molecules.
Proteomics is a branch of biotechnology that applies techniques from molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics to analyze the structure, function, and interactions of the proteins produced by a cell, tissue, or organism.1
To examine these proteins, researchers utilize several analytical methods to separate and identify them within complex mixtures:
- Centrifugation: This technique uses high-speed spinning to separate proteins based on differences in weight. Ultracentrifugation can further isolate specific proteins and help determine their molecular weights.2
- Electrophoresis: Because proteins possess net electrical charges, they can be separated by their migration rates in an electric field. This is often performed using stationary media like acrylamide gels, allowing for the isolation and identification of individual proteins.2
- Mass Spectrometry: This powerful analytical technique identifies substances by sorting gaseous ions according to their mass-to-charge ratios. By examining the resulting fragmentation patterns, scientists can deduce the structure of protein molecules.34
The data generated from these experiments are organized into databases to help researchers understand the distribution of proteins in cells and their roles in biological processes.51