Review Article Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics and Peptidomics for Biomarker Discovery in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Xin Wei and Lingjun Li
Department of Chemistry and School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
Received 15 June 2008; Accepted and available online 20 June 2008
Abstract: There is an urgent need to search for biomarkers that are indicative of neurodegenerative diseases, as the clinical diagnosis of which remains unsatisfactory. Mass spectrometry (MS) has been playing an important role in studying peptide and protein identities, structures, modifications and interactions that collectively drive their biological functions. MS-based proteomics technology is thus well suited for the biomarker discovery. This article reviews the overall strategies and workflows employed for biomarker discovery and recent applications of MS-based proteomics in neurodegenerative diseases. Special emphasis is placed on the studies of protein post-translational modification pattern changes and differential peptidomics under these pathological conditions.(IJCEP806008 ).
Address all correspondence to: Lingjun Li, PhD, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA. Tel: 608-265-8491; Fax: 608-262-5345; Email: lli@pharmacy.wisc.edu