Sequential Digestion with Trypsin and Elastase in Cross-Linking Mass Spectrometry

Anal Chem. 2019 Apr 2;91(7):4472-4478. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b05222. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Abstract

Cross-linking mass spectrometry has become an important approach for studying protein structures and protein-protein interactions. The amino acid compositions of some protein regions impede the detection of cross-linked residues, although it would yield invaluable information for protein modeling. Here, we report on a sequential-digestion strategy with trypsin and elastase to penetrate regions with a low density of trypsin-cleavage sites. We exploited intrinsic substrate-recognition properties of elastase to specifically target larger tryptic peptides. Our application of this protocol to the TAF4-12 complex allowed us to identify cross-links in previously inaccessible regions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Elastase / chemistry*
  • Peptides / analysis
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Proteolysis
  • Sf9 Cells
  • Spodoptera
  • Succinimides / chemistry
  • TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors / analysis*
  • TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors / chemistry
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Transcription Factor TFIID / analysis*
  • Transcription Factor TFIID / chemistry
  • Trypsin / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Peptides
  • Succinimides
  • TAF4 protein, human
  • TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors
  • Transcription Factor TFIID
  • bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate
  • Pancreatic Elastase
  • Trypsin