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Poster Presentations
Day 2, June 23（Mon.）
Room P (Maesato East, Foyer, Ocean Wing)
- 2P-AM-30
High-Resolution DIA-Based Proteomic Profiling Uncovers Regional Specialisation in the Human Retina
(1SSI USyd, 2CPC USyd)
oAzhar Arafah1, Ling Zhu1, Xiaosuo Wang2, Mark Gillies1
Background: The macula and peripheral retina have distinct structural and functional features, yet their proteomic differences remain poorly understood. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics can provide insights into what is unique to each retinal region that may elucidate disease mechanisms and potential biomarkers for macular disorders.
Methods: Macular and peripheral retinal punch biopsies from four donors were analysed using LC-MS/MS with data-independent acquisition on a Q Exactive HF-X Orbitrap mass spectrometry and a 90-minute nanoLC gradient. DIA spectral data were processed via Spectronaut with direct database searching against the human UniProt FASTA, applying a 1% FDR at peptide and protein levels. Differential protein expression was assessed using paired t-tests, followed by GO and pathway enrichment analysis.
Results: We identified 7,578 proteins in the macula and 7,512 in the peripheral retina, with 553 differentially expressed proteins in the macula (344 upregulated, 209 downregulated, log2FC>1, p<0.05). PCA revealed distinct regional proteomic separation, explaining 74% of the variance. Macular proteins were enriched in lipid metabolism, lysosomal activity and glutamatergic synapses, while peripheral proteins were associated with structural integrity and phototransduction pathways.
Conclusion: This study provides a high-resolution proteomic profile of the human retina, with region-specific metabolic specialisations that may have implications for macular disease research.