The 1996 study of the Protein Sequence Research Committee, ABRF-96SEQ, is the ninth in a series that provides a mechanism of self-evaluation of protein sequencing capabilities for member laboratories. The current study represents a departure from previous protein sequencing test studies, which have supplied a peptide or protein sample and requested that facilities sequence a certain number of amino acid residues. Results of these previous studies have suggested that sequence assignment accuracy is problematic for many laboratories and that the average accuracy of positive calls has decreased. For example, the results of last year's study, ABRF-95SEQ, indicated that the majority of facilities made greater than 20% errors on positive assignments. The Committee felt these errors may have arisen from poor data analysis or from problems with sequencer operation and performance. As a result, ABRF-96SEQ was designed as a sequence calling exercise, to determine whether these errors were due to difficulties with sequence calling or due to poor instrument performance. ABRF-96SEQ was also designed to help members evaluate and improve their ability to correctly assign sequences.
Two sets of chromatograms were distributed in October, 1995 to all facility directors that were listed with the ABRF as performing amino acid sequencing. These represented HPLC chromatograms of PTH-amino acids generated by Edman degradation of two samples by Committee members on two different protein sequencers. Participants were asked to analyze these chromatograms and return the peptide sequences, along with a survey, for analysis and evaluation by December 15. Because ABRF-96SEQ is a sequence calling exercise, member laboratories that do not have amino acid sequencing capabilities could still participate in the study. Thus a letter was mailed to ABRF directors that do not currently perform amino acid sequencing in order to identify additional study participants. The deadline for data return has been changed from December 15 to January 15, so it is still possible to participate in this study. Facility directors who would like to participate in this year's study and have not received the data packet may contact Joseph Fernandez (Protein/DNA Technology Center, Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10021; Tel: (212) 327-8869, Fax: (212) 327-8620, E-mail: fernaj@rockvax.rockefeller.edu). All data that are returned to the Committee by January 15 will be included in the analysis of ABRF-96SEQ.
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