Microcharacterization Of Proteins

Proteomics - the analysis of the whole set of proteins and their functions in a cell - is based on the revolutionary developments which have been achieved in protein analysis during the last years. The number of finished genome projects is growing and in parallel there is a dramatically increasing need to identify the products of revealed genes. Acting on a micro level modern protein chemistry increases our understanding of biological events by elucidating the relevant structure-function relationships. The second edition of the successful title Microcharacterization of Proteins presents a current overview of modern protein analysis: From sample preparation to sequence analysis, mass spectrometry and bioinformatics it informs about the tools needed in protein research. This makes the book indispensable for everyone involved in proteomics!

Milestones in the techniques and methodology of polypeptide structure determination include the determination of the sequence of insulin by Sanger in 1951 (I) and the introduction of the repeti tive degradation of proteins with phenylisothiocyanate by Edman in 1959 (2). The automation of Edman chemistry (3) played a major role in the determination of polypeptide structures. Important modifications of Edman chemistry include the solid-phase approach by Laursen in 1971 (4) and the use of modified Edman reagents such as 4-N, N-dimethylaminoazobenzene-4'-isothiocy- ate (DABITC) for manual sequencing by Chang et al. (5) in 1976. A second major breakthrough in the analysis of polypeptides was automated amino acid analysis described by Spackman et al. in 1958 (6). However, during the period from 1975 to 1980, it became increasingly clear that the amount of material required for struc tural analysis was more than could be easily isolated for the vast majority of proteins. The field was criticized for its lack of sensitive techniques for the analysis of growth factors, immune modulators, membrane receptors, and peptide hormones. In addition, very little had been done to modernize and improve the original instruments introduced in the mid-1960s. The first indications of improved instrumentation for Edman chemistry came from Wittmann-Liebold's laboratory (7), followed by the introduction of a "micro" sequencer by Hunkapiller and Hood in 1978 (8). The movement toward improved instrumentation culminated in the "gas"--Phase sequencer of Hewick et al. (9) in 1981

With the end of the Human Genome Project in sight, the next important step is to determine the function of genes. Proteome Research is an important approach to this study and is the first book to comprehensively cover the application of two-dimensional electrophoresis, the central methodology in proteome research. The state-of-the-art is described in detail and the available detection methods are extensively covered. Sufficient detail is given to allow readers to apply these technologies to their own particular requirements.

Techniques in Protein Chemistry compiles reports of methods and techniques presented at the second symposium of the Protein Society in August 1988. This book includes methods and applications in protein sequencing, advanced applications of mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance technology, limitations of amino acid microanalysis, and advances in high-performance liquid chromatography. The structure of synthetic test peptide-3 (STP-3), a peptide designed to test the analytical limits of current technology in the field of protein chemistry is also elaborated. This publication is suited for chemists and researchers conducting work on the analytical techniques available for the molecular characterization of proteins.

While the sequence of the human genome sequence has hit the headlines, extensive exploitation of this for practical applications is still to come. Genomic and post-genomic technologies applied to viral and bacterial pathogens, which are almost equally important from a scientific perspective, have the potential to be translated into useful products and processes much more rapidly. Genomics, Proteomics and Vaccines introduces the history of vaccinology and discusses how vaccines are expected to evolve in the future. It describes the relevant technologies, including genome sequencing and analysis, DNA microarrays, 2D electrophoresis and 2D chromatography, mass spectrometry and high-throughput protein expression and purification. The book also features examples of the exploitation of genomics and post-genomics in vaccine discovery, and contains useful descriptions of the biology and pathogenesis of clinically important bacterial pathogens. This book should be of interest to all those working in vaccine discovery and development in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as in academic institutions

Hans Neurath has written that this is the second golden era of enzymology {Protein Science [1994], vol. 3, pp. 1734—1739); he could with justice have been more general and referred to the second golden age of protein chemistry. The last two decades have seen enormous advances in our understanding of the structures and functions of pro teins arising on the one hand from improvements and developments in analytical techniques {see the companion volume, Basic Protein and Peptide Protocols, in this series) and on the other hand from the tech nologies of molecular genetics. Far from turning the focus away from protein science, the ability to isolate, analyze, and express genes has increased interest in proteins as gene products. Hence, many laborato ries are now getting involved in protein isolation for the first time, either as an essential adjunct to their work in molecular genetics or because of a curiosity to know more about the products of the genes that they have been studying. Protein Purification Protocols is aimed mainly at these newcom ers to protein purification, but it is hoped that it will also be of value to established practitioners who may find here techniques that they have not tried, but which might well be most applicable in their work. With the exception mainly of the first and last chapters, the format of the contributions to the present book conform to the established format of the Methods in Molecular Biology series.

Populations of the western world are now healthier and enjoying higher life expectancy than ever. They are beginning to benefit from an array of costly new therapies made possible through recent rapid advances in medical science and technology, and their demands on modern medicine are rising. Meanwhile, healthcare systems are struggling with their outdated legacy models of the m- th 20 century and are experiencing ever-increasing financial pressure from g- ernments and health insurance organizations. The equation is no longer in balance, and this predicament is forcing societies to explore new approaches to managing healthcare in the future. Since the first edition of Molecular Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases was published, we have witnessed the sequencing of the (almost) complete human genome and a shift in medical research from an emphasis on genetics to the advancement and useful application of proteomics. Bioinformatics has become the key tool for managing and analyzing the upsurge of data, and faster and more effective test methods and technologies have opened up new prospects for ind- try and academia. The tools of modern genomics and proteomics are now being utilized to specifically guide the discovery of drugs for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human disease. They may also help us to find a way out of the current healthcare calamity.