QconCAT: Internal Standard for Protein Quantification

Protein quantification based on stable isotope labeling-mass spectrometry involves adding known quantities of stable isotope-labeled internal standards into biological samples. The internal standards are analogous to analyte molecules and quantification is achieved by comparing signals from isotope-labeled and analyte molecules. This methodology is broadly applicable to proteomics research, biomarker discovery and validation, and clinical studies, which require accurate and precise protein abundance measurements. One such internal standard platform for protein quantification is concatenated peptides (QconCAT). This chapter describes a protocol for the design, expression, characterization, and application of the QconCAT strategy for protein quantification.