I have isolated and identified more than 40 hypothetical proteins from E. coli by using MALDI-TOF and LC-MS/MS. Hypothetical proteins are cloned, over expressed and two proteins are characterized by binding study and crystal study.
Most of the proteins are not forming crystals. It is very hard to make deletion mutant of all hypothetical genes and make characterization of hypothetical genes. I have isolated and purified most of the hypothetical proteins by using chromatography. I would appreciate if anyone could give suggestions and advice regarding the protein identification by using any functional studies.