ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a method for extracting cytoskeletons and cytoskeleton-associated proteins for proteomic analysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A subcellular sequential proteome extraction method was exploited. The extraction procedure was optimized and controlled according to observed cell morphology changes and one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis images. The extraction efficiency and selectivity were evaluated by Western blotting and mass spectrometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four extracted fractions clearly displayed distinct patterns. Western blotting detected the fraction-marker proteins FAK, integrin-β1, histone H1 and cytokeratin 19 only in their expected fractions. About 90% of the protein spots in the cytoskeleton fraction were identified by mass spectrometry as cytoskeleton and/or its associated proteins.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The subcellular proteome sequential fractionation method facilitates the detection of proteins of low abundance and shows a high reproducibility and selectivity, and thus can serve as an ideal pre-fractionation method prior to two-dimensional electrophoresis.</p>