Characterization of Post-Transcriptional RNA Modifications by Sheathless Capillary Electrophoresis-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Anal Chem. 2020 May 19;92(10):7363-7370. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c01345. Epub 2020 May 7.

Abstract

Over the past decade there has been a growing interest in RNA modification analysis. High performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry coupling (HPLC-MS/MS) is classically used to characterize post-transcriptional modifications of ribonucleic acids (RNAs). Here we propose a novel and simple workflow based on capillary zone electrophoresis-tandem mass spectrometry (CE-MS/MS), in positive mode, to characterize RNA modifications at nucleoside and oligonucleotide levels. By first totally digesting the purified RNA, prior to CE-MS/MS analysis, we were able to identify the nucleoside modifications. Then, using a bottom-up approach, sequencing of the RNAs and mapping of the modifications were performed. Sequence coverages from 68% to 97% were obtained for four tRNAs. Furthermore, unambiguous identification and mapping of several modifications were achieved.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry
  • RNA, Transfer / isolation & purification
  • RNA, Transfer / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / chemistry*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Substances

  • RNA, Transfer