Plasticity: Proteomic Approaches to the Analysis of Protein Alterations at the Synapse in Kindling

Technological advances over the last decade in gel electrophoresis and in mass spectrometry (MS)-based procedures have revolutionized approaches for analyzing proteins. Application of these new techniques, collectively termed proteomics, has permitted the global analysis of protein levels and modification states at very high sensitivities of detection on multiple samples simultaneously. This technology provides a means to analyze proteins, in parallel with analysis of gene expression, in tissues and cells under differing treatment conditions and in differing settings (e.g., disease vs. normal). This article presents an overview of current technologies used for 2D gel and MS analysis for proteomic studies, and the application of this technology to brain - particularly with emphasis on the kindling model of epilepsy in rat.