Recent advances in nanomaterials for sample pre-treatment in phosphoproteomics research

Abstract

Reversible protein phosphorylation plays a crucial role in many biological processes. Due to the low concentration, suppression of nonphosphopeptides as well as the insufficient ionization efficiencies, the direct identification and detection of phosphopeptides/phosphoproteins by MS are still faces many challenges. Enrichment of phosphopeptides/phosphoproteins from complicated coexisting matrixes is the main strategy before MS analysis. The demand of efficient and specific enrichment of phosphopeptides/phosphoproteins promotes the development of various nanomaterials based on different enrichment mechanisms. In this review, recent advances in diverse nanomaterials for phosphopeptides/phosphoproteins pre–treatment are summarized. In particular, design and preparation of different kind of nanomaterials as well as enrichment mechanisms and principles are discussed. Furthermore, the research directions and potential challenges in phosphoproteomics research are proposed.