The proteome: anno Domini 2002

We present some current definitions related to functional and structural proteomics and the human proteome, and we review the following aspects of proteome analysis: Classical 2-D map analysis (isoelectric focusing (IEF) followed by SDS-PAGE); Quantitative proteomics (isotope-coded affinity tag (ICAT), fluorescent stains) and their use in e.g., tumor analysis and identification of new target proteins for drug development; Electrophoretic pre-fractionation (how to see the hidden proteome!); Multidimensional separations, such as: (a) coupled size-exclusion and reverse-phase (RP)-HPLC; (b) coupled ion-exchange and RP-HPLC; (c) coupled RP-HPLC and RP-HPLC at 25/60 degrees C; (d) coupled RP-HPLC and capillary electrophoresis (CE); (e) metal affinity chromatography coupled with CE; Protein chips. Some general conclusions are drawn on proteome analysis and we end this review by trying to decode the glass ball of the aruspex and answer the question: "Quo vadis, proteome"?