Affiliation:
1. LAQV/REQUIMTE Department of Chemistry University of Aveiro Aveiro Portugal
2. iBiMED Department of Medical Sciences University of Aveiro Aveiro Portugal
3. Cardiovascular R&D Centre – UnIC@RISE Department of Surgery and Physiology Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto Porto Portugal
Abstract
PurposeThe main objective of this study is to characterize and analyze modified peptides in DBS samples. This includes deciphering their specific PTMs and understanding their potential impact on the population or disease cohort under study.Experimental DesignUsing mass spectrometry‐based proteomic approaches, we performed a comprehensive analysis of DBS samples. Our focus was on the identification and quantification of modified peptides. We also took advantage of recent advances in DBS mass spectrometry to ensure accurate detection and quantification.ResultsA comprehensive analysis identified 972 modified peptides in DBS samples. Of these, a subset of 211 peptides was consistently present in all samples, highlighting their potential biological importance and relevance. This indicates a diverse spectrum of PTMs in the proteome of DBS samples.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceIntegration of mass spectrometry and proteomics has revealed a broad spectrum of modified peptides in DBS samples and highlighted their importance in biological processes and disease progression. Accurate detection of these PTMs may be critical for risk stratification and disease management. This study improves the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying biological processes and disease development, providing important insights for clinical applications.