Proteomische Techniken zur Diagnostik der Endometriose

Endometriosis is one of the most common benign diseases among premenopausal women. However, after years of extensive research, it is still impossible to correctly diagnose endometriosis without an operation. Protein detection and proteomic techniques like two-dimensional gelelectrophoresis (2DE) and mass spectrometry (MS) are applicable to explore pathognomonic processes by comparison of sera from endometriosis patients and from normal controls, respectively. Therefore, these techniques may reveal novel diagnostic markers for endometriosis. While single protein markers or panels of markers may presently enter clinical application, "high throughput" screening techniques like protein pattern profiling remain experimental due to exalted technology and costs. Moreover, 2DE is an excellent technique to research unknown pathways and detect differentially expressed proteins when additionally subjected to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for protein identification. This might lead to the discovery of new diagnostic and potentially therapeutic markers.