Methods in molecular cardiology: protein analysis.

Several protein analysis techniques are described in this review to give insight into the potential applications for research. Protein analysis can be performed in several ways. All techniques are derived from the same general principle, the migration of charged particles in an electrical field. Electrophoresis of biomolecules, like proteins, provides the possibility to identify and characterise the molecules based upon different chemical properties. Immobilisation of the proteins after electrophoresis on paper is necessary to allow easy handling of the materials (blotting). These techniques also provide information on the state of a protein, whether it is activated or inactivated. To show the use of the described techniques in cardiology, two applications are provided in this review.