Spectrometry and Its Application for the Detection of RNA-Binding Proteins: Advancements, Techniques and Challenges

Spectrometry is a fascinating field of analytical science that encompasses a range of techniques used to study the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter. Through the measurement and analysis of various radiations, spectrometry provides valuable insights into the composition, structure and properties of different substances. Spectrometry allows for the identification and quantification of proteins based on their characteristics and abundance. By comparing the mass spectrometry data obtained from the pulldown assay with databases of known proteins, it is possible to identify the interacting proteins with high confidence. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), as one of the most important RNA-binding proteins, have emerged as key players in gene regulation, with nearly 80% of transcripts in human cells being lncRNA species. These nonprotein-coding transcripts, longer than 200 nucleotides, have shown great potential in various biological processes and diseases. However, their functional characterization remains a challenge due to their lower expression levels and the limitations of current techniques. Therefore, in this study, we aim to review spectrometry and its diverse types for application in the determination of general properties of RNA-binding proteins.