Proteomic analysis, amniotic fluid

Amniotic Fluid. The proteome of amniotic fluid has been analyzed to reveal biomarkers for certain genetic and epigenetic diseases, preterm birth, and miscarriage. The proteomic analysis of human amniotic fluid has identified more than 800 proteins, and some of these may provide clues to different health problems of the fetus. 

The effect of alcohol consumption leading to the development of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) has been investigated by the proteomic analysis of amniotic fluid of mice. In mice with FAS, the level of alpha fetoprotein is reduced markedly, which may be used as a biomarker of FAS. 

Ruetschi, U., Rosen, A., Karlsson, G., Zetterberg, H., Rymo, L., Hagberg, H., and Jacobsson, B. Proteomic analysis using protein chips to detect biomarkers in cervical and amniotic fluid in women with intra-amniotic inflammation. J Proteome Res, 4 2236-2242, 2005. 

Peptide mass fingerprinting can be performed by use of MALDI-FT-ICR [94,95]. For example, Przybylski and co-woikers applied MALDI-FT-ICR to the proteomic analysis of cryoglobulins from a hepatitis C patient [96], and to alveolar proteomics associated with proteinosis and cystic fibrosis [97]. Alternatively, LC can be coupled with ESI FT-ICR for peptide mass fingerprinting [94]. Among other applications, LC coupled with ESI-FT-ICR has been used in the proteomic analysis of Escherichia coli [98], the proteomic analysis of amniotic fluid [99], the identification of brain natriuritic peptide (BNP-32) in plasma following heart failure [100], and in the molecular differentiation of ischemic and valvular heart disease [101]. 

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