The characteristic pattern of peptides resulting from partial hydrolysis (cleavage, digestion) of a protein. The pattern is obtained by separating the peptides by two-dimensional chromatography in which the peptides are first subjected to chromatography using one solution which separates many but not all peptides. The chromatogram is then turned 90 degrees and is again chromatographed using a second solution which then separates all of the peptides producing the final fingerprint of the protein.
A means of identifying proteins electrophoretically after partially hydrolyzing them. Each protein leaves a characteristic pattern of light and dark peptide bands on the electrophoretic paper or gel.