Scientists discover proteins useful to the study of infertility

Scientists may have discovered markers for infertility using methods involving in-gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Prior to the investigation it was known that endometrial epithelial cell plasma membrane proteins, which are vital in regulating embryo adhesions, may hold the key for infertility, creating markers to look out for and provide useful information for future treatment.

In the study, published by Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology Journal, the team, consisting of Joanne Yap, Caroline Foo, Ming Yee Lee, Peter Stanton and Evdokia Dimitriadis, aimed to identify IL11 regulated plasma membrane proteins in hEEC in vitro using a proteomic approach.

Through the use of a 2D-differential in-gel electrophoresis (DIGE) electrophoresis combined with LCMS/MS mass spectrometry approach, the scientists found four spots in the IL11 group which were different to the control group.

These four spots contained 20 proteins, two of which were selected for further analysis.

As a result they found that ANXA2 and FLOT1 proteins had increased levels in the IL11 group, highlighting that they may be significant as a marker of infertility.