Abstract
Over-expression of distinct plasma membrane proteins by tumor cells relative to normal tissue is the basis for several successful cancer therapies, and active searches for more such tumor antigens are underway.  Mass spectrometry, in the context of proteomics, can play a crucial part in the discovery or validation of new tumor antigens.  Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is not well suited for this task, however, because of the uncooperative behavior of membrane proteins in the gels.  We are therefore using an alternative approach based on the digestion of unfractionated protein mixtures and identification of the resulting peptides by tandem mass spectrometry.  The extreme complexity of such digests limits the number of proteins that can be identified during a single experiment, and several strategies have been used to reduce the complexity of these mixtures and thereby detect more and lower abundance proteins.  These include isolation of plasma membranes, fractionation of peptides by affinity techniques (for peptides containing cysteine, methionine, or histidine), and two-dimensional HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry.  The merits of these approaches will be discussed, and examples given from the analysis of potential tumor antigens..

Background
David Arnott is a scientist in the Protein Chemistry Department at Genentech, Inc.  He was educated at the University of Delaware in Philosophy (B.A) and Chemistry (B.S.) and earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Virginia, where he sequenced naturally-processed peptide antigens by tandem mass spectrometry.  As a post-doctoral fellow at Genentech in the laboratory of John T. Stults he developed and applied methods and technologies in 2D electrophoresis, low-level protein chemistry, and mass spectrometry.  Since his appointment as Scientist in 1997 he has developed alternative approaches to proteomics and applied all of these techniques to research projects in cardiovascular research, neurobiology, and molecular oncology.

Meeting details

Date:	Thursday	April 25, 2002
Time:	6:00 pm	Social hour, registration (no-host cocktails)
	7:00 pm	Dinner
	8:00 pm	Lecture
Dinner:	Choice of:	Artichoke Chicken with Crimini mushrooms, artichokes hearts and red bell pepper in a lemon white truffle sauce
		Grilled Salmon fillet with roasted red pepper coulis
		Vegetable harmony with polenta: Grilled egg plant, zucchini, wild mushroom caps, carrots, yellow squash and roma tomatoes, with grilled polenta triangles in a balsamic vinaigrette
	includes	various side dishes & dessert
Cost:	$25.00	BAMS members.  Dinner reservations must be made by noon Monday April 22, 2002
	$35.00	Non-members.  Dinner reservations must be made by noon Monday April 22, 2002
	$15.00	Students only.  Dinner reservations must be made by noon Monday April 22, 2002

Note: 2002 dues need to be paid to obtain member price.  Dues ($20) may be paid while registering for dinner.

Maps & directions
Radisson Hotel at the Berkeley Marina
200 Marina Blvd.
Berkeley, CA  94710
(510) 665-7115
Yahoo map here

The San Francisco Bay Area Mass Spectrometry discussion group was formed in 1980 to provide a regular gathering for people interested in mass spectrometry and allied topics. BAMS currently has a membership of about 280 individual and 20 corporate members, and meets 8-10 times per year for a midweek dinner and lecture.  Meetings attract between 30 and 90 people, and are held at a restaurant or hotel in the bay area convenient for our speaker.  We usually convene at 6:00 pm for cocktails, dinner at 7:00 pm, and lecture at 8:15 pm.

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Last update: 4/11/02.