Principles of Proteomic Approaches to the Cytoskeleton

In combination with bioinformatics and molecular biological techniques proteomic approaches become more and more indispensable in order to deepen our understanding of cellular functions. Since the cytoskeleton is presented by a highly dynamic network, engaged in many basic cellular functions like cell growth, migration, or intracellular transport mechanisms, many open questions remain to be clarified. Moreover, this concerns triggers of cytoskeletal remodeling or dynamics of membranous interaction partners. A proteomic description should exceed the pure listing of its constituents but rather should include functional proteomics as well as the description of protein interaction networks. Due to its mediating nature between cytosolic and membranous compartments of the cell different techniques are necessary to complete the investigation of the neuronal cytoskeleton. Within this article, we present a set of state-of-the-art approaches for further proteomic research of the cellular cytoskeleton and beyond.