Proteomics

Abstract

Study of the complete proteins from a source and the techniques implied to study these proteins and their interactions is the fundamental of proteomics. The three-dimensional map of the proteins and their interactions delineates their importance and functioning in an organism. These studies are initiated at the protein level sometimes tracing back to their genes. The alternative splicing phenomenon in the eukaryotes selectively enriches the proteome diversity. Structural proteomics takes into consideration the three-dimensional structure of proteins helping in the structure-based rational drug designing procedure. On the other hand, the functional proteomics is largely focused on understanding the protein expression at the cellular level, protein modifications, protein interactions, signalling and disease mechanisms. The field has gained momentum with the advent of technology where different techniques such as X-ray, NMR, mass spectroscopy, HPLC and two-dimensional PAGE have resulted in the generation of enormous experimental data. It is difficult to keep up with the colossal amount of experimental data generated through various protein detection methods. The analysis done through bioinformatics procedures involving algorithms, databases and pipelines for computational analysis enables faster and accurate analysis done over a couple of days. Through databases and resource portals, data management, storage and sharing have made it easier for researchers to obtain and collate data accelerating proteomics research. This chapter is an effort to describe in detail the various dimensions of the proteomics studies covering the structural and functional aspects. A brief overview of all the techniques involved in studying the proteome is given facilitating the reader to incorporate the ideas in their research planning. The immense importance of the domain in biomarker discovery and elucidation of protein-protein/drug interactions. Proteomics in combination with other complementary technologies like genomics and transcriptomics (a systems-level approach) has an enormous potential to answer several unanswered questions in biology.