Due to their involvement in numerous biochemical pathways, neuropeptides have been the focus of many recent research studies. Unfortunately, classic analytical methods, such as western blots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, are extremely limited in terms of global investigations, leading researchers to search for more advanced techniques capable of probing the entire neuropeptidome of an organism. With recent technological advances, mass spectrometry (MS) has provided methodology to gain global knowledge of a neuropeptidome on a spatial, temporal, and quantitative level. This review will cover key considerations for the analysis of neuropeptides by MS, including sample preparation strategies, instrumental advances for identification, structural characterization, and imaging; insightful functional studies; and newly developed absolute and relative quantitation strategies. While many discoveries have been made with MS, the methodology is still in its infancy. Many of the current challenges and areas that need development will also be highlighted in this review.

中文翻译：

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神经肽质谱分析的最新进展

由于它们参与众多生化途径，神经肽已成为许多近期研究的焦点。不幸的是，经典的分析方法，如蛋白质印迹和酶联免疫吸附测定，在全球调查方面极为有限，导致研究人员寻找能够探测生物体整个神经肽组的更先进的技术。随着最近的技术进步，质谱 (MS) 提供了在空间、时间和定量水平上获取神经肽组全球知识的方法。本综述将涵盖通过 MS 分析神经肽的关键考虑因素，包括样品制备策略、鉴定、结构表征和成像的仪器进展；有见地的功能研究；以及新开发的绝对和相对定量策略。虽然 MS 已经取得了许多发现，但该方法仍处于起步阶段。许多当前的挑战和需要发展的领域也将在本次审查中得到强调。