Multiple testing and pattern recognition in 2-DE proteomics

Abstract

After separation through two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), several hundreds of individual protein abundances can be quantified in a cell population or sample tissue. However, gel-based proteomics has the reputation of being a slow and cumbersome art. But art is not dead! While 2-DE may no longer be the tool of choice in high-throughput differential proteomics, it is still very effective to identify and quantify protein species caused by genetic variations, alternative splicing, and/or PTMs. This chapter reviews some typical statistical exploratory and confirmatory tools available and suggests case-specific guidelines for (1) the discovery of potentially interesting protein spots, and (2) the further characterization of protein families and their possible PTMs.