Isolation of phosphopeptides by pI-difference-based electrophoresis

J Proteome Res. 2007 Mar;6(3):1153-7. doi: 10.1021/pr060498p.

Abstract

Effective proteomics studies of protein phosphorylation require an efficient enrichment method for phosphopeptides, which remains a challenge. Here, we describe the discovery of pI differences between methylated phosphopeptides (typically <7.4) and methylated nonphosphorylated peptides (typically >9.0). This pI difference allows isolation of methylated phosphopeptides from the methylated nonphosphopeptides by in-solution isoelectric focusing. We proved the principle of such a novel approach by isolating a phosphorylated peptide from nonphosphorylated tryptic digest of myoglobin. While the principle for pI-based, in-solution electrophoresis is proven, it requires further development for practical application. The method described here provides a stepping stone toward more reliable, convenient method for efficient isolation of phosphopeptides.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electrophoresis / methods*
  • Isoelectric Focusing / methods*
  • Methylation
  • Myoglobin / metabolism
  • Phosphopeptides / isolation & purification*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Trypsin

Substances

  • Myoglobin
  • Phosphopeptides
  • Proteins
  • Trypsin