EN
The present study was carried out to introduce a proteomic workflow based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) as a tool for creating protein profiles of the myocardium and pericardium of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The experiment was carried out on five healthy 8-month-old males. Myocardial and pericardial proteins within the isoelectric point ranging from 3.0 to 10.0 were separated by high resolution 2-DE. Subsequently, 335 reproducible protein spots (125 from myocardial and 210 from pericardial tissue) were excised from the gels and submitted for identification by PMF (peptide mass fingerprinting). As a result, 38 protein spots were successfully identified and corresponded to 32 distinct myocardial and pericardial gene products. These proteins included binding, enzymatic, structural and regulatory proteins. Two-dimensional (2-D) maps presented in the current study provide a basic overview of myocardial and pericardial proteins of African catfish. These maps might be useful for designing further proteomic studies aimed at elucidating the patterns of cardiac adjustments to various physiological and/or pathophysiological factors, including environmental stressors.