Proteome expression/function investigation

Two features of expression profiling make it the most productive approach to study biological systems for the immediate future. First, the present efficiency with which investigators can obtain global and quantitative information with DNA arrays exceeds that of proteomic techniques. Second, RNA expression profiles provide an extremely precise and reproducible signature of the state of the cell that probably reflects albeit indirectly, the functional state of all proteins (Young, 2000, p. 13)-... 

Protein expression and function under various physiological conditions can be investigated by employing 2DE techniques. Quantitative regulation of proteomics allows us to monitor quantitative changes in protein expression within a cell or tissue under different circumstances, particularly in a disease state. 

Cell map proteomics reveals the static proteome of a whole organism, tissue, cell or organelle, while expression proteomics investigates changes in a proteome to cellular cues (Godovac-Zimmermann and Brown, 2001). Functional and structural proteomics refers to the investigation of individual proteins such as interactions with ligands. 

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease of unknown aetiology. It is a severe disease characterized by impaired systolic function resulting in heart failure. To date proteomic investigations into human heart disease have centered around DCM. The known contributoiy factors of DCM are viral infections, cardiac-specific autoantibodies, toxic agents, genetic factors and sustained alcohol abuse. The expression of as many as 100 cardiac proteins... 

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