Metalloproteomics: forward and reverse approaches in metalloprotein structural and functional characterization

About one-third of all proteins are associated with a metal. Metalloproteomics is defined as the structural and functional characterization of metalloproteins on a genome-wide scale. The methodologies utilized in metalloproteomics, including both forward (bottom-up) and reverse (top-down) technologies, to provide information on the identity, quantity, and function of metalloproteins are discussed. Important techniques frequently employed in metalloproteomics include classical proteomic tools such as mass spectrometry and 2D gels, immobilized-metal affinity chromatography, bioinformatic sequence analysis and homology modeling, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and other synchrotron radiation based tools. Combinative applications of these techniques provide a powerful approach to understand the function of metalloproteins.