Some perspectives on two-dimensional protein mapping.

High-resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis is the only technique currently available which can resolve and map the very complex mixtures of proteins found in cells and body fluids. The authors review briefly the evolution of protein mapping by use of this technique and then discuss five major issues which will be important in the future. These are 1) development of standardized high-throughput computerized mapping systems, 2) application of mapping to the characterization and identification of cells and organisms, 3) development of a flexible standardized nomenclature, 4) the application of artificial intelligence to the analysis of protein data bases, and 5) the use of 2-D mapping for the detection of mutations. The authors conclude that new classes of information can and will be acquired that will be important for understanding both normal cell function and disease.