Platelet Proteomics: Essentials for Understanding and Application

Proteomics has become a promising technology for platelet research. The development of the last 10 years has provided a complex set of different separation tools and analytical techniques for proteins and their modifications. Several of these approaches have already been performed in platelet studies. Here, we present an overview of different methods used in the field of platelet proteomics, like, for instance, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of proteins, proteolytic digestion of complete platelet lysates combined with subsequent high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based peptide separation as well as strategies for the analysis of posttranslational modifications. We will focus on methodical aspects of the different techniques as well as their potential and limitations in order to provide an orientation guide for further projects.