Plasma proteome analysis: 2D gels and chips.

The knowledge of concentration, modification and interaction of proteins is fundamental in determining the phenotype of living organisms. Plasma, the primary clinical specimen, contains numerous and diverse proteins. The functions of these proteins are as manifold as the diversity of the protein themselves. Many of them have been largely used for many years as biomarkers of diseases and indicators of the physiological functions. The study of plasma proteome promises to be a significant advance in various areas of biological and clinical research. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is considered as a primary tool in separating thousand of plasma proteins. This approach enables comparing normal and diseased samples revealing differently expressed proteins. Other proteomic techniques suitable for plasma analysis such as protein microarrays are now either established or are still being improved. This article briefly reviews the application of two-dimensional electrophoresis and the current status of technical aspects for plasma proteome.