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. 2013 Aug 16;8(8):e71033. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071033

Figure 3. Protein separation and peptide mass sequencing of Asian elephant seminal plasma.

Figure 3

Seminal plasma proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Selected spots were excised and submitted for mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) for protein identification by de novo sequencing of MALDI-PSD tandem mass spectra. Panel A: 2D gel of seminal plasma proteins from an ejaculate exhibiting good sperm motility (≥65% tMOT). The same sample from Panel A is also shown in Figure 2, Lane G5. Cored spots from within the train of this protein (circled; corresponding with band A in Figure 2) were submitted for mass spectrometric analysis. Panel B: Example of a 2D gel of seminal plasma proteins from an ejaculate exhibiting poor sperm motility (≤10% tMOT). Panel C: Mass spectrum results from MALDI-TOF. Panel D: Peptide mass sequencing identified the cored proteins as having homology to lactotransferrin (i  =  isoleucine or leucine).