Proteomic analysis of pancreas in miniature pigs according to developmental stages using two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry

Abstract

Organ transplantation is limited by the shortage of human organs. Many studies have sought to overcomethis hurdle by using animal organs. Porcine organs, especially from miniature pigs, have been used fororgan xenotransplantation rather than nonhuman primates. While the molecular profiling for transplantationis well known in humans and rodents, the situation for pigs is almost completely unknown. The presentstudy examined protein regulation of the developing stages of the pancreatic proteome (4 day-oldminiature neonate, 19 day-old miniature piglet, and 14 month-old miniature adult pigs) using twodimensionalgel electrophoresis and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight massspectrometry. Thirteen different expressed spots were observed and nine were identified. The datapresented within this study provides critical direction relating to the development of pancreas ofminiature pigs, which will assist future proteome analysis of the pancreas, and advance ourunderstanding of the hurdles facing xenotransplantation.