Abstract
Proteins are vital in all biological systems as they constitute the main structural and functional components of cells. Recent advances in mass spectrometry have brought the promise of complete proteomics by helping draft the human proteome. Yet, this commonly used protein sequencing technique has fundamental limitations in sensitivity. Here we propose a method for single-molecule (SM) protein sequencing. A major challenge lies in the fact that proteins are composed of 20 different amino acids, which demands 20 molecular reporters. We computationally demonstrate that it suffices to measure only two types of amino acids to identify proteins and suggest an experimental scheme using SM fluorescence. When achieved, this highly sensitive approach will result in a paradigm shift in proteomics, with major impact in the biological and medical sciences.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 055003 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Physical Biology |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Keywords
- computational biophysics
- proteomics
- single-molecule biophysics
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Single-molecule protein sequencing through fingerprinting: computational assessment
Yao, Y. (Creator), Docter, M. W. (Creator), van Ginkel, H. G. T. M. (Creator), de Ridder, D. (Creator) & Joo, C. (Creator), Delft University of Technology, 19 Jan 2018
DOI: 10.4121/uuid:08a078fc-9d4c-44d1-88c9-9cb412b83a46
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