Comparison of the protein profiles between the achilles and patella tendon in rats

We have examined and compared the protein profile of the achilles tendon with that of the patella tendon in 5 male Wistar rats using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). In the 2D-PAGE, we can plot the proteins of the achilles and the patella tendon, but not reveal the difference between the protein profiles of tendons in rat. However, in MALDI-TOF-MS, the difference in protein profiles between the patella and the achilles tendon can be detected. Although further analysis is required, our method to view protein profile has potential for the diagnosis of the nature and the pathological conditions of tendon.