Sequence analysis of proteins separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis: towards an integrated protein database

Improved technologies or the synergistic use of complementary methods enhance the efficiency of research and permit the exploration of new approaches for the investigation of complex problems. High sensitivity protein sequence analysis and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis are such complementary methods. Here we summarize the current status of high sensitivity sequence analysis of proteins separated in polyacrylamide gels and discuss strategies by which this technology can enhance biological research by generating new approaches for the solution of complex, multifacetted problems. Finally, we outline imminent technological advances in the area of high sensitivity protein sequence analysis and argue that further technological developments will ultimately lead to the generation of an integrated protein database (containing structural and functional as well as physiological information in an easily accessible form) of all the proteins separated by high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.