Yeou-Guang Tsay, M.D., Ph.D.
Proteomics Research Center and Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology,
National Yang-Ming University
Inasmuch as the number of protein species is limited in human plasma, it becomes
more and more difficult for biomedical scientists to deduce novel protein
targets for development of diagnostic methodologies. In order to discover new
structural targets, my laboratory has been undertaking a different approach. We
have been testing the hypothesis that posttranslational modifications in plasma
proteome may serve as the good clinical markers. We have employed a new
comprehensive mapping strategy for simultaneous characterization of multiple
types of protein modifications. Thus far, we have successfully identified a
variety of new modifications on plasma proteins, including serine
phosphorylation, proline hydroxylation, tryptophan hydroxylation, serine
glycosylation and so on. We believe that the database comprising protein
modification information should provide a solid basis for the systemic survey of
posttranslational modification statuses in the plasma proteome. This will help
us define the roles of protein modification analyses in development of new
diagnostic methods.
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