ABSTRACT
The word proteome is derived from “protein complement expressed by a genome”, and proteomics is the set of techniques used to study proteins on a large scale. Subcellular localization, post-translation modifications, and interactions with other molecules are information that will complement the annotation of genes and contribute to the identification of their function. This descriptive axis of the proteomics, which is developing rapidly, uses high-throughput tools for the purpose of characterizing numerous proteins, each being analysed individually. Just as proteomic analyses allow the study of variations of expression as a function of different physiological factors, they allow detection of variations of expression between genotypes. Inventories provide additional functional information on proteins, e.g. expression in one or other organ, tissue, or cellular compartment. An issue of major functional importance, and specific to proteomics, is the identification of states of post-translation maturation of proteins.
