The comparison of two-dimensional (2-D) gel images from different samples is an established method used to study differences in protein expression. Conventional methods rely on comparing images from at least 2 different gels. Due to the high variation between gels, detection and quantification of protein differences can be problematic. Two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (Ettan trade mark DIGE) is an emerging technique for comparative proteomics, which improves the reproducibility and reliability of differential protein expression analysis between samples. In the application of DIGE different samples are labelled with mass and charge matched spectrally resolvable fluorescent dyes and are then separated on the same 2-D gel. Using an Escherichia coli lysate "spiked" with varying amounts of four different known proteins, we have tested a novel experimental design that exploits the sample multiplexing capabilities of DIGE, by including a standard sample in each gel. The standard sample comprises equal amounts of each sample to be compared and was found to improve the accuracy of protein quantification between samples from different gels allowing accurate detection of small differences in protein levels between samples.

Mass spectrometry (MS) is the main technology used in proteomics approaches. However, on average 75% of spectra analysed in an MS experiment remain unidentified. We propose to use spectrum clustering at a large-scale to shed a light on these unidentified spectra. PRoteomics IDEntifications database (PRIDE) Archive is one of the largest MS proteomics public data repositories worldwide. By clustering all tandem MS spectra publicly available in PRIDE Archive, coming from hundreds of datasets, we were able to consistently characterize three distinct groups of spectra: 1) incorrectly identified spectra, 2) spectra correctly identified but below the set scoring threshold, and 3) truly unidentified spectra. Using a multitude of complementary analysis approaches, we were able to identify less than 20% of the consistently unidentified spectra. The complete spectrum clustering results are available through the new version of the PRIDE Cluster resource (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/pride/cluster). This resource is intended, among other aims, to encourage and simplify further investigation into these unidentified spectra.

Separation and relative quantitation of complex protein mixtures remain two of the most challenging aspects of proteomics. Here an advanced technique called fluorescence difference 2-D gel electrophoresis technology (2D-DIGE) has been applied to a model system study of the Escherichia coli proteome after benzoic acid treatment. The molecular weight and charge matched cyanine dyes enable pre-electrophoretic labelling of control and treated samples which are then mixed and run in the same gel. Pooled control and treated samples labelled with Cy trade mark 3 were used as an internal standard for both Cy5 labelled control and treated E. coli samples. Together with DeCyder trade mark imaging analysis software, more accurate quantitative analysis than conventional two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was achieved. Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight and quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry a total of 179 differentially expressed protein spots were identified. These included enzymes, stress related and substrate (e.g. amino acids, maltose, ribose and TRP repressor) binding proteins. Of the spots analysed, 77% contained only one protein species per spot, hence the change in protein expression measured was solely attributed to the identified protein. Many membrane proteins and protein isoforms were identified indicating both adequate solubilization of E. coli samples and potential post-translational modification. The results indicate that the regulatory mechanisms following benzoic acid treatment of E. coli are far more complicated than hitherto expected.

No abstract