Improving qualitative and quantitative performance for MS(E)-based label-free proteomics

J Proteome Res. 2013 Jun 7;12(6):2340-53. doi: 10.1021/pr300776t. Epub 2013 Apr 17.

Abstract

Label-free quantitation by data independent methods (for instance MS(E)) is growing in popularity due to the high technical reproducibility of mass spectrometry analysis. The recent introduction of Synapt hybrid instruments capable of incorporating ion mobility separation within mass spectrometry analysis now allows acquisition of high definition MS(E) data (HDMS(E)). HDMS(E) enables deeper proteome coverage and more confident peptide identifications when compared to MS(E), while the latter offers a higher dynamic range for quantitation. We have developed synapter as, a versatile tool to better evaluate the results of data independent acquisitions on Waters instruments. We demonstrate that synapter can be used to combine HDMS(E) and MS(E) data to achieve deeper proteome coverage delivered by HDMS(E) and more accurate quantitation for high intensity peptides, delivered by MS(E). For users who prefer to run samples exclusively in one mode, synapter allows other useful functionality like false discovery rate estimation, filtering on peptide match type and mass error, and filling missing values. Our software integrates with existing tools, thus permitting us to easily combine peptide quantitation information into protein quantitation by a range of different approaches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Escherichia coli / chemistry
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / analysis*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / chemistry
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Mass Spectrometry / statistics & numerical data*
  • Peptides / analysis*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Proteomics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Software*

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Peptides