Structural Proteomics: Large‐Scale Studies

Abstract Proteins have many different functions in biological systems, and the molecular functions of proteins are dependent on their three‐dimensional structures. Mapping protein structures is therefore an important strategy in understanding gene and protein function. Structural proteomics or structural genomics refers to systematic efforts to functionally annotate protein molecular structures of whole or selected parts of genomes and/or proteomes. Structural proteomics studies have significantly added to our knowledge of protein structures over the past few years and a large fraction of available protein structures in public databases result from high‐throughput structural proteomics studies. Although structural proteomics techniques are continually being improved, significant challenges remain in protein expression and crystallisation and in particular for solving protein structures for challenging classes of protein such as membrane proteins. Key Concepts Protein function is directly linked to the three‐dimensional structure of the protein. Structural proteomics refers to large‐scale mapping of protein structures. Techniques such as protein crystallisation and X‐ray bombardment allow the three‐dimensional arrangement of atoms in protein molecules to be determined. Technical and biological challenges remain in structural proteomics – in particular for certain classes of proteins such as proteins that span membranes. Large‐scale structural proteomics is an enabling technology for systems biology.