Serum biomarkers research of tourette’s syndrome children using proteomics techniques--a pilot study

Abstract

Purpose:This study used proteomics to analyze the changes in serum proteomics between tourette’s syndrome (TS) children and healthy children in order to find serum biomarkers that can distinguish TS children from healthy children.Experimental design: We analyzed the serum proteome of 60 TS children and 30 healthy controls children using magnetic bead-based weak cation exchange (MB-WCX) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Next, we identified candidate biomarkers using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Candidate biomarkers were then validated using ELISA and western blotting.Results: 59 peaks were identified and the expression fold changes of seven peaks in the two groups were greater than 1.9. Two peaks (m/z: 6443.34 Da; m/z: 6642.05 Da;) tended to be upregulated, whilefive peaks (m/z: 863.13 Da; m/z: 2175.98 Da; m/z: 2191.841 Da; m/z: 2277.19 Da;m/z: 2293.11 Da) tended to be down-regulated in TS group. The peak for a 2191.84 Da peptide was identified as FGA (Isoform 1 of the Fibrinogen alpha chain precursor, FGA);The peak for a 2175.98 Da peptide was identified as PKM2 (Isoform M2 of Pyruvate kinase isozymes,PKM2);The peak for a 2277.19 Da peptide was identified as GAPDH (Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase,GAPDH);The peak for a 863.13 Da peptide was identified as PROC (Vitamin K-dependent protein C,PROC).Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses revealed that the expression of FGA and PKM2 were significantly higher in TS children than healthy controls children. Conclusion: FGA and PKM2 may be potential serum biomarkers to distinguish TS children from healthy children.