High-Resolution Nano-Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometric Detection for the Bottom-Up Analysis of Complex Proteomic Samples

Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection is one of the major technologies used for protein sequencing, identification, and quantification. This review provides an introduction of the current state-of-the-art technology in peptide profiling using nano-liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry applied to large-scale protein or proteome analysis. In particular, different aspects of the bottom-up proteomics workflow are covered, including aspects of sample preparation such as protein digestion, nanoflow gradient reversed-phase chromatographic separation, LC–MS interfacing via electrospray ionization, tandem mass spectrometry of digests, protein identification via database searches, and finally peptide quantitation.