Inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor biopolymer marker indicative of insulin resistance

Abstract

The instant invention involves the use of a combination of preparatory steps in conjunction with mass spectroscopy and time-of-flight detection procedures to maximize the diversity of biopolymers which are verifiable within a particular sample. The cohort of biopolymers verified within such a sample is then viewed with reference to their ability to evidence at least one particular disease state; thereby enabling a diagnostician to gain the ability to characterize either the presence or absence of at least one disease state relative to recognition of the presence and/or the absence of the biopolymer, predict disease risk assessment, and develop therapeutic avenues against the disease.

1 . An isolated biopolymer marker consisting of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         2 . A method for determining in a patient sample, the presence of an isolated biopolymer marker consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 which is linked to insulin resistance comprising: 
 (a) obtaining a sample from a patient;    (b) conducting mass spectrometric analysis on said sample in a manner effective to maximize analysis of peptide fragments contained therein and comparing mass spectrum profiles of said isolated biopolymer marker consisting of SEQ ID NO:l to mass spectrum profiles of peptides obtained and analyzed from said sample; and    (c) confirming the presence of said isolated biopolymer marker consisting of SEQ ID NO:l in said sample displaying a peak profile at about 1546 daltons in said mass spectrum profile;    wherein the presence of said isolated biopolymer marker consisting of SEQ ID NO:1 is indicative of a link to insulin resistance.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said sample is an unfractionated body fluid or a tissue sample.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said sample is selected from the group consisting of blood, blood products, urine, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, and lymph.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said mass spectrometric analysis is selected from the group consisting of Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption Ionization (SELDI) mass spectrometry (MS), Maldi Qq TOF, MS/MS, TOF-TOF, ESI-Q-TOF and ION-TRAP.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said patient is a human.  
     
     
         7 . A kit for determining the presence of an isolated biopolymer marker consisting of SEQ ID NO:1 comprising: (a) a peptide consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, and (b) an antibody that binds to said peptide in a sample from a patient.  
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein said antibody is immobilized on a solid support.  
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein said antibody is labeled.