The proteome:: Anno Domini 2002

We present some current definitions related to functional and structural proteomics and the human proteome, and we review the following aspects of proteome analysis: Classical 2-D map analysis (isoelectric focusing (IEF) followed by SDSPAGE); Quantitative proteomics (isotopecoded affinity tag (ICAT), fluorescent stains) and their use in e.g., tumor analysis and identification of new target proteins for drug development; Electrophoretic prefractionation (how to see the hidden proteome!); Multidimensional separations, such as: (a) coupled sizeexclusion and reversephase (RP)HPLC; (b) coupled ionexchange and RPHPLC; (c) coupled RPHPLC and RPHPLC at 25/60 C; (d) coupled RPHPLC and capillary electrophoresis (CE); (e) metal affinity chromatography coupled with CE; Protein chips. Some general conclusions are drawn on proteome analysis and we end this review by trying to decode the glass ball of the aruspex and answer the question: Quo vadis, proteome?