Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed for determining one or more
target polypeptides in a sample where the target polypeptides have
undergone a post-translational modification. A mixture comprising the
sample and a first reagent comprising a cleavage-inducing moiety and a
first binding agent for a binding site on a target polypeptide is
subjected to conditions under which binding of respective binding
moieties occurs. The binding site is the result of post-translational
modification activity involving the target polypeptide. The method may be
employed to determine the target polypeptide itself. In another
embodiment the presence and/or amount of the target polypeptide is
related to the presence and/or amount and/or activity of an agent such as
an enzyme involved in the post-translational modification of the target
polypeptide. The interaction between the first binding agent and the
binding site brings the cleavage-inducing moiety into close proximity to
a cleavable moiety, which is associated with the polypeptide and is
susceptible to cleavage only when in proximity to the cleavage-inducing
moiety. In this way, an electrophoretic tag for each of the polypeptides
may be released. Released electrophoretic tags are separated and the
presence and/or amount of the target polypeptides are determined based on
the corresponding electrophoretic tags.