MASS-SPECTROMETRIC PEPTIDE AND PROTEIN CHARTING

Six years after coining the term 'mass spectrometric (MS) peptide charting' for the component analysis of peptide mixtures in a whole tissue, body fluid, or an extract thereof, we offer our current perspective of this field. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and electrospray ionization have replaced plasma desorption and fast atom bombardment as ionization methods of choice. At the same time, the upper mass range has been extended to now include most peptides and proteins of interest to research on cell-cell communication. In addition to qualitative aspects, quantitative applications of MS charting have become important. In combination with new database search algorithms, on-line liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry promises greater dividends from MS charting than are achievable with molecular mass matching alone. We discuss what is and is not yet possible, and consider foreseeable means for overcoming current limitations. Our intent is to encourage researchers in the biological and medical sciences to take advantage of this powerful methodology in their various fields of endeavor.