Proteomic analysis of human thyroid fine needle aspiration fluid

The aim of this study was to determine the protein pattern of human thyroid fine needle aspiration fluid (FNA) using a proteomic approach. FNA proteins were separated using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE), digested and then analyzed by peptide mass fingerprinting. For the first time, we provided an image of the protein components of the FNA, in which approximately 220 protein spots can be identified. The proteome analysis revealed a specific fingerprint of FNA with proteins appertaining to various functional systems. Our preliminary results of FNA protein pattern could be a starting point in studying the presence of potential markers implicated in thyroid diseases.