Teaching molecular genetics: Chapter 3--Proteomics in nephrology

• Published in: Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, West) West), 2006-05, Vol.21 (5), p.611-618
• Main Authors: Groenen, Patricia J T A, van den Heuvel, Lambert P W J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers - analysis; Biomarkers - urine; Chromatography, Liquid; Disease; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; Humans; Identification; Kidney Diseases - physiopathology; Mass Spectrometry - methods; Medical research; Molecular Biology; Nephrology; Physiology; Polypeptides; Protein Array Analysis; Proteins; Proteome - analysis; Proteomics; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Urine - chemistry
• ISSN: 0931-041X; 1432-198X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00467-006-0064-z

The novel discipline of proteomics has experienced a rapid growth in the recent past and has great potentials for the future. The study of proteins on a genomic scale enables a large number of proteins to be analysed simultaneously. Moreover, proteomic analysis reveals the presence of protein isoforms and post-translational modifications, both of which have the potential to regulate protein complex formation, activity and function. As such, the assessment of the proteome, unlike genomic analysis, provides a view of biological processes at their level of occurrence. The knowledge thus gained is important not only for a better understanding of renal physiology and pathophysiology, but also for the identification of disease markers and the development of new therapies. This review applies the science of proteomics to nephrology: our aim is to give an overview of the discipline, providing background information and outlining the scope, advantages and limitations of proteomics.