Vectorial proteomics

Vectorial proteomics is a methodology for the differential identification and characterization of proteins and their domains exposed to the opposite sides of biological membranes. Proteomics of membrane vesicles from defined isolated membranes automatically determine cellular localization of the identified proteins and reduce complexity of protein characterizations. The enzymatic shaving of naturally-oriented, or specifically-inverted sealed membrane vesicles, release the surface-exposed peptides from membrane proteins. These soluble peptides are amenable to various chromatographic separations and to sequencing by mass spectrometry, which provides information on the topology of membrane proteins and on their posttranslational modifications. The membrane shaving techniques have made a breakthrough in the identification of in vivo protein phosphorylation sites in membrane proteins form plant photosynthetic and plasma membranes, and from caveolae membrane vesicles of human fat cells. This approach has also allowed investigation of dynamics for in vivo protein phosphorylation in membranes from cells exposed to different conditions. Vectorial proteomics of membrane vesicles with retained peripheral proteins identify extrinsic proteins associated with distinct membrane surfaces, as well as a variety of posttranslational modifications in these proteins. The rapid integration of versatile vectorial proteomics techniques in the functional characterization of biological membranes is anticipated to bring significant insights in cell biology.