Overview of Post-translational Modification Analysis

Post-translational modification (PTM) refers to the covalent, usually enzymatic modification of

proteins, and protein process during or after protein biosynthesis. Protein post-translational
modification (PTM) increases the functional diversity of the proteome by the modifying
proteins with functional groups, such as phosphate, acetate, amide groups, or methyl groups,
and influences almost all the aspects of normal cell biology and pathogenesis. It plays a key
role in many cellular processes such as cellular differentiation, protein degradation, signaling
and regulatory processes, regulation of gene expression, and protein-protein interactions. The
modifications genererally include phosphorylation, glycosylation, ubiquitination, nitrosylation,
methylation, acetylation, lipidation and proteolysis and influence almost all aspects of normal
cell biology and pathogenesis. Therefore, characterization of PTM, including the modification
categories and modified sites, is critical in the study of cell biology and disease diagnostics
and prevention.

Identification of Post-Translational Modifications (PTM) is a tedious process. It can be

affected by many factors. For example, most of the post-translational modifications are
present in very low level. Therefore, enrichment steps are necessary before identification
process. Additionally, stability of modification, and detection efficiency of mass spectrometry
are also critical factors in PTM identification process. Creative Proteomics offers an advanced
analytical platform for the characterization of various post-translational modifications (PTM).

Function of PTMs:
Category of PTMs Functions
Change protein comformation;
Phosphorylation
Activate/inactivate catalytic activity
Ubiquitination Target protein for degradation
 Glycosylation Direct a protein to its destination
Affect protein comformation and its affinity
Acetylation
to other proteins
Affect the activity and subcellular location
Lipidation
of a protein
Affect protein comformation and its affinity
Methylation
to other proteins
Remove peptide sequences or regulatory
Proteolysis
domains
Types of PTMs analysis service we provide:
 Phosphorylation
 Glycosylation
 Ubiquitination
 S-Nitrosylation
 Biotinylation
 Methylation
 N-Acetylation
 Lipidation
 S-myristoylation
 S-prenylation
 Alkylation
 Glutamylation
Workflow of our PTMs analysis service:
 Digestion of proteins into small fragments
 Protein separation and analysis using LC/MS/MS
 Database search
 PTM mapping
 Full protein annotation
Technology platform:
 2D Fluorescence Difference Gel Electrophoresis (DIGE)
 Liquid Chromatography (LC)
 High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
 Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS)