Quantitative peptidomic analysis of the cartilage tissues of different ages

Zhou Zhi-wen; Ju Li; Lou Yue

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.0804

Abstract：BACKGROUND: There are many studies on the physiological roles of high-molecular-weight protein in cartilage tissue, but low-molecular-weight peptides are rarely investigated. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a quantitative analysis of cartilage tissue peptide in low- and high-age population, and to screen active peptides related to cartilage development from the differential peptides. METHODS: The cartilage tissue samples from six cases of low age (< 3 years old) and eight cases of high age (6-8 years old) population were collected, cartilage peptides analyzed quantitatively by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and the differences in the peptide composition between two groups were analyzed by isotope dimethyl labeling method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We identified 588 differential peptides in the cartilage tissues of two groups, which were originated from 428 proteins. Sixteen peptides were present at higher levels in the high-age group (over 4-fold expression), and 6 were present at higher levels in the low-age group (over 4-fold expression). Through analyzing the molecular mass, isoelectric point and gene ontology of the differential peptides, we preliminarily understand the characteristics of cartilage peptides at molecular level, which provides a new perspective for searching more active cartilage peptides.