Labeling elastase digests with TMT: informational gain by identification of poorly detectable peptides with MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry

Proteomics. 2010 Nov;10(21):3905-9. doi: 10.1002/pmic.201000288.

Abstract

The applicability of the less specific protease elastase for the identification of membrane and cytosolic proteins has already been demonstrated. MALDI as ionization technique particularly favors the detection of basic and to a lesser extent of weakly acidic peptides, whereas neutral peptides often remain undetected. Moreover, peptides below 700 Da are routinely excluded. In the following study, the advantage of additional information gained from tandem mass tag zero labeled peptides and the resultant increase in sequence coverage was evaluated. Through derivatization with tandem mass tag reagents, peptide measurement within the standard mass range of the MALDI reflector mode is achievable due to the mass increase. Compared to the unlabeled sample, peptides exhibiting relatively low molecular masses, pI values or higher hydrophobicity could be identified.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Corynebacterium glutamicum
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Indicators and Reagents / chemistry
  • Isoelectric Point
  • Pancreatic Elastase / chemistry
  • Pancreatic Elastase / metabolism*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods*
  • Swine
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Peptides
  • Pancreatic Elastase