Database interrogation algorithms for identification of proteins in proteomic separations

Protein identification is a key aspect in the investigation of proteomes. Typically, in a 2-DE gel-based proteomics analysis, the spots are enzymatically digested and the resulting peptide masses are measured, producing mass spectra. Peptides can also be isolated and fragmented within the mass spectrometer, leading to tandem mass spectra. For protein and peptide identification, an algorithm matches the mass spectra and other empirical information against a protein database to define if a protein is already known or novel. A variety of different programs for protein identification with database interrogation has been developed. This chapter focuses on the use of the software Aldente and Phenyx, for MS and tandem MS identification, respectively.