Comparative Proteomic Assessment of Normal vs. Polyhydramnios Amniotic Fluid Based on Computational Analysis
Rūta Navakauskienė1, Sandra Baronaitė1,2, Dalius Matuzevičius3
1Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania.
Biomedicines
|August 26, 2022
Summary
Mass spectrometry proteomics identified key proteins in amniotic fluid, revealing differences between normal and polyhydramnios pregnancies. These findings aid in understanding pregnancy pathologies and prenatal medicine abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Proteomics
- Prenatal Medicine
Background:
- Amniotic fluid proteomics offers insights into pregnancy pathologies.
- Polyhydramnios (non-immune hydrops) requires better understanding of underlying molecular mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize proteins differentiating normal from polyhydramnios pregnancies using mass spectrometry.
- To quantitatively analyze protein expression changes in pathological pregnancies.
Main Methods:
- Proteomic analysis of amniotic fluid using 2D electrophoresis (2DE) across different pH ranges (pI 3-11, pI 4-7).
- Mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) for protein identification.
- Computational analysis for comparative proteomics and quantification.
Main Results:
- Significant quantitative changes in proteins related to immune response, inflammation, cellular signaling, and metabolism were observed.
- Proteins associated with heart function, circulatory system, and prenatal abnormalities were identified, including serotransferrin, prothrombin, and haptoglobin.
- Computational analysis confirmed increased protein levels in pathological pregnancies, with fractionation strategies enhancing isoform isolation.
Conclusions:
- Mass spectrometry-based proteomics effectively distinguishes protein profiles in normal versus polyhydramnios pregnancies.
- Identified proteins offer potential biomarkers for prenatal conditions like non-immune hydrops, cardiovascular issues, anemia, and growth restriction.
- Proteomic characterization aids in estimating quantitative protein changes, advancing prenatal diagnostics.
