Protein species as diagnostic markers

The success rate of FDA approved diagnostic protein markers until today is very low compared to the number of published candidate disease markers. It is hypothesized that one important reason is the gene-centric view which is still followed in clinical proteomics: In many investigations proteins are still digested in small peptides thus making it nearly impossible to discriminate between healthy proteins and pathologic proteins causing diseases. Thus this review is focusing on the biochemistry and patho-biochemistry of proteins, is highlighting the need for screening for disease markers on the protein species level and is giving an overview about available techniques.