Combining mass spectrometry with database interrogation strategies in proteomics

Protein identification by mass spectrometry (MS) and sequence-database searching was established in 1993; since then, the proteomics community has witnessed a proliferation of analytical strategies for protein identification. Analytical strategies comprise three components: MS platforms; spectra-data base sequence correlation methods; and, sequence databases. Multiple strategies are now applied simultaneously to increase sensitivity, throughput, and reliability of the characterization of proteomes. Now, by assessing the complexity of the interplay of MS, bioinformatics and sequence databases, we can begin to predict future approaches and challenges in the development of proteomics. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.