ABSTRACT

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, combined with mass spectrometry, is the primary tool for proteomic studies. Proteomic technologies are increasingly recognized as necessary for understanding the role nutrients and drugs play in nutrient and cellular metabolism. The application of proteomic techniques in nutrition research will be essential to understanding the complex interactions between nutrient status, proteins, and cellular metabolism. The disparity between mRNA and protein levels indicates the need for use of proteomic techniques to obtain a more complete picture of cellular and molecular metabolic processes. The nuclear transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) are activated by fatty acids and their metabolites. PPARa is expressed in the liver and kidney, and its activation induces the proliferation of peroxisomes, and increases mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation. The use of proteomic techniques allows investigators to analyze global protein expression, and define the functions and interrelationships of proteins within cells or tissues.