Using ProteoCombiner to integrate bottom-up and top-down proteomics data to improve proteoform identification

Abstract

Here we present a high-performance software for proteome analysis that combines different mass spectrometric approaches, such as, top-down for intact protein analyses and bottom-up, for proteolytic fragment characterization. ProteoCombiner capitalizes on the data arising from different experiments and proteomics search engines and presents the results in a user-friendly manner. Our tool also provides a rapid and easy visualization, manual validation and comparison of the identified proteoform sequences, including post-translational modifications (PTM) characterization. Thus, ProteoCombiner is recommended for studies dealing with different proteomics strategies, in order to increase confidence in proteoform identification including PTMs.