Achievements and perspectives of top-down proteomics

Area of Science:

• Proteomics
• Mass Spectrometry
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Top-down mass spectrometry (TD MS) has evolved from a niche method to a cornerstone of modern proteomics.
• Its increasing adoption in routine workflows highlights its growing importance and reliability.

Observation:

• TD MS provides high-accuracy structural information on intact proteins, exceeding the capabilities of bottom-up approaches.
• This enables detailed characterization of post-translational modifications (PTMs) and single amino acid polymorphisms.

Findings:

• The review details the current state-of-the-art in TD MS, including its advantages and limitations.
• It discusses recent advancements and trends in TD analysis for comprehensive proteome studies.

Implications:

• TD MS represents a powerful tool for MS-based proteomics, offering deeper insights into protein structure and function.
• Its integration into routine workflows signifies a major turning point in the field of proteomics.