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Feng Y, Qirjollari A, Fawaz MV, Cancilla MT, Gonzalez RJ, Pearson K. Rapid and Definitive Identification of Cyclic Peptide Soft Spots by Isotope-Labeled Reductive Dimethylation and Mass Spectrometry Fragmentation. Anal Chem 2024; 96:7756-7762. [PMID: 38690743 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c01372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides are an emerging therapeutic modality over the past few decades. To identify drug candidates with sufficient proteolytic stability for oral administration, it is critical to pinpoint the amide bond hydrolysis sites, or soft spots, to better understand their metabolism and provide guidance on further structure optimization. However, the unambiguous characterization of cyclic peptide soft spots remains a significant challenge during early stage discovery studies, as amide bond hydrolysis forms a linearized isobaric sequence with the addition of a water molecule, regardless of the amide hydrolysis location. In this study, an innovative strategy was developed to enable the rapid and definitive identification of cyclic peptide soft spots by isotope-labeled reductive dimethylation and mass spectrometry fragmentation. The dimethylated immonium ion with enhanced MS signal at a distinctive m/z in MS/MS fragmentation spectra reveals the N-terminal amino acid on a linearized peptide sequence definitively and, thus, significantly simplifies the soft spot identification workflow. This approach has been evaluated to demonstrate the potential of isotope-labeled dimethylation to be a powerful analytical tool in cyclic peptide drug discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Feng
- Nonclinical Drug Safety, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Athanasia Qirjollari
- Nonclinical Drug Safety, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Maria V Fawaz
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism, and Bioanalytics, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Mark T Cancilla
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, Metabolism, and Bioanalytics, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Raymond J Gonzalez
- Nonclinical Drug Safety, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
| | - Kara Pearson
- Nonclinical Drug Safety, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, United States
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2
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Elpa DP, Prabhu GRD, Wu SP, Tay KS, Urban PL. Automation of mass spectrometric detection of analytes and related workflows: A review. Talanta 2019; 208:120304. [PMID: 31816721 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.120304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The developments in mass spectrometry (MS) in the past few decades reveal the power and versatility of this technology. MS methods are utilized in routine analyses as well as research activities involving a broad range of analytes (elements and molecules) and countless matrices. However, manual MS analysis is gradually becoming a thing of the past. In this article, the available MS automation strategies are critically evaluated. Automation of analytical workflows culminating with MS detection encompasses involvement of automated operations in any of the steps related to sample handling/treatment before MS detection, sample introduction, MS data acquisition, and MS data processing. Automated MS workflows help to overcome the intrinsic limitations of MS methodology regarding reproducibility, throughput, and the expertise required to operate MS instruments. Such workflows often comprise automated off-line and on-line steps such as sampling, extraction, derivatization, and separation. The most common instrumental tools include autosamplers, multi-axis robots, flow injection systems, and lab-on-a-chip. Prototyping customized automated MS systems is a way to introduce non-standard automated features to MS workflows. The review highlights the enabling role of automated MS procedures in various sectors of academic research and industry. Examples include applications of automated MS workflows in bioscience, environmental studies, and exploration of the outer space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Decibel P Elpa
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rd., Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Rd., Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
| | - Gurpur Rakesh D Prabhu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rd., Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Rd., Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Pao Wu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rd., Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan.
| | - Kheng Soo Tay
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Pawel L Urban
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Rd., Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan; Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Rd., Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan.
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Huang LJ, Chiang CW, Chen SL, Wei SY, Chen SH. Complete mapping of disulfide linkages for etanercept products by multi-enzyme digestion coupled with LC-MS/MS using multi-fragmentations including CID and ETD. J Food Drug Anal 2019; 27:531-541. [PMID: 30987725 PMCID: PMC9296193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The disulfide linkages of two etanercept products, Enbrel® (innovator drug) and TuNEX®, were characterized and compared using a multi-fragmentation approach consisting of electron transfer dissociation (ETD) and collision induced dissociation (CID) in combination with multi-enzyme digestion protocols (from Lys-C, trypsin, Glu-C, and PNGase F). Multi-fragmentation approach allowed multi-disulfide linkages contained in a peptide to be un-ambiguously assigned based on the cleavage of both the disulfide and the backbone linkages in a MS3 schedule. New insights gained using this approach were discussed. A total of 29 disulfides, Cys18-Cys31, Cys32-Cys45, Cys35-Cys53, Cys56-Cys71, Cys74-Cys88, Cys78-Cys-96, Cys98-Cys104, Cys112-Cys121, Cys115-Cys139, Cys-142-Cys157, Cys163-Cys178 in TNFR portion and Cys240-Cys240, Cys246-Cys246, Cys249-Cys249, Cys281-Cys341, Cys387-Cys445 in IgG1 Fc domain, were completely assigned with the demonstration of the same disulfide linkages between the Enbrel® and TuNEX® products. The data showed the higher order structure was preserved throughout the recombinant manufacturing processes and consistent between the two products.
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Lakbub JC, Shipman JT, Desaire H. Recent mass spectrometry-based techniques and considerations for disulfide bond characterization in proteins. Anal Bioanal Chem 2017; 410:2467-2484. [PMID: 29256076 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-017-0772-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Disulfide bonds are important structural moieties of proteins: they ensure proper folding, provide stability, and ensure proper function. With the increasing use of proteins for biotherapeutics, particularly monoclonal antibodies, which are highly disulfide bonded, it is now important to confirm the correct disulfide bond connectivity and to verify the presence, or absence, of disulfide bond variants in the protein therapeutics. These studies help to ensure safety and efficacy. Hence, disulfide bonds are among the critical quality attributes of proteins that have to be monitored closely during the development of biotherapeutics. However, disulfide bond analysis is challenging because of the complexity of the biomolecules. Mass spectrometry (MS) has been the go-to analytical tool for the characterization of such complex biomolecules, and several methods have been reported to meet the challenging task of mapping disulfide bonds in proteins. In this review, we describe the relevant, recent MS-based techniques and provide important considerations needed for efficient disulfide bond analysis in proteins. The review focuses on methods for proper sample preparation, fragmentation techniques for disulfide bond analysis, recent disulfide bond mapping methods based on the fragmentation techniques, and automated algorithms designed for rapid analysis of disulfide bonds from liquid chromatography-MS/MS data. Researchers involved in method development for protein characterization can use the information herein to facilitate development of new MS-based methods for protein disulfide bond analysis. In addition, individuals characterizing biotherapeutics, especially by disulfide bond mapping in antibodies, can use this review to choose the best strategies for disulfide bond assignment of their biologic products. Graphical Abstract This review, describing characterization methods for disulfide bonds in proteins, focuses on three critical components: sample preparation, mass spectrometry data, and software tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jude C Lakbub
- Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, 1251 Wescoe Hall Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
| | - Joshua T Shipman
- Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, 1251 Wescoe Hall Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
| | - Heather Desaire
- Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, 1251 Wescoe Hall Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA.
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Hsu JL, Chen SH. Stable isotope dimethyl labelling for quantitative proteomics and beyond. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2016; 374:rsta.2015.0364. [PMID: 27644970 PMCID: PMC5031631 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2015.0364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Stable-isotope reductive dimethylation, a cost-effective, simple, robust, reliable and easy-to- multiplex labelling method, is widely applied to quantitative proteomics using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. This review focuses on biological applications of stable-isotope dimethyl labelling for a large-scale comparative analysis of protein expression and post-translational modifications based on its unique properties of the labelling chemistry. Some other applications of the labelling method for sample preparation and mass spectrometry-based protein identification and characterization are also summarized.This article is part of the themed issue 'Quantitative mass spectrometry'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jue-Liang Hsu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Shu-Hui Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Sung WC, Chang CW, Huang SY, Wei TY, Huang YL, Lin YH, Chen HM, Chen SF. Evaluation of disulfide scrambling during the enzymatic digestion of bevacizumab at various pH values using mass spectrometry. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2016; 1864:1188-1194. [PMID: 27238563 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2016.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Disulfide linkages play an important role in protein stability and activity. Thus, it is critical to characterize disulfide bonds to ensure the quality and function of protein pharmaceuticals. There are, however, problems associated with maintaining disulfide linkages in the conventional procedures that are used to digest a protein. In order to preserve enzyme activity during the digestion of a protein, it is commonly carried out at neutral to basic environment which increases the possibilities of disulfide bond scrambling. However, it is not easy to differentiate whether the scrambled disulfide linkages are initiated by the sample itself or whether they are induced during the protease digestion process. In this study, the optimum pH for minimizing disulfide bond rearrangements during the digestion process was determined. Three sets of proteases, trypsin plus Glu-C, Lys-C and thermolysin were used, followed by dimethyl labeling and mass spectrometry for a bevacizumab (Avastin) disulfide linkage analysis. No disulfide linkage scrambling was detected at pH6 when Lys-C or trypsin plus Glu-C were used as enzymes. When thermolysin was applied, some scrambled disulfide bonds were identified at pH5, 6 and 7. Nevertheless, there was less disulfide bond scrambling at a lower pH. All correct disulfide bonds on bevacizumab could be identified using this approach. The results demonstrated that by choosing the proper enzymes, using a lower pH environment for the digestion could reduce the degree of artifact disulfide scrambling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Chou Sung
- National Health Research Institutes, National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Wen Chang
- National Taiwan Normal University, Department of Chemistry, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Ting-Yu Wei
- National Taiwan Normal University, Department of Chemistry, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Li Huang
- National Taiwan Normal University, Department of Chemistry, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hua Lin
- National Taiwan Normal University, Department of Chemistry, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Min Chen
- Catholic Fu-Jen University, Department of Life Science, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Fang Chen
- National Taiwan Normal University, Department of Chemistry, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Huang SY, Chen SF, Chen CH, Huang HW, Wu WG, Sung WC. Global Disulfide Bond Profiling for Crude Snake Venom Using Dimethyl Labeling Coupled with Mass Spectrometry and RADAR Algorithm. Anal Chem 2014; 86:8742-50. [DOI: 10.1021/ac501931t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Yu Huang
- Mithra Biotechnology
Inc., 7F, No. 104, Sec. 1, Xintai 5th
Road, Xizhi Dist., New Taipei City 221, Taiwan
| | - Sung Fang Chen
- National Taiwan Normal University, Department of
Chemistry, No. 88, Sec.
4, Tingchow Road, Taipei 116, Taiwan
| | - Chun Hao Chen
- National Taiwan Normal University, Department of
Chemistry, No. 88, Sec.
4, Tingchow Road, Taipei 116, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan Wei Huang
- National Health
Research Institutes, National Institute of Infectious Diseases and
Vaccinology, No. 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan
- National Tsing Hua University, Institute of Bioinformatics
and Structural Biology, No. 101, Sec. 2, Kuang Fu Road, Hsinchu 330, Taiwan
| | - Wen Guey Wu
- National Tsing Hua University, Institute of Bioinformatics
and Structural Biology, No. 101, Sec. 2, Kuang Fu Road, Hsinchu 330, Taiwan
| | - Wang Chou Sung
- National Health
Research Institutes, National Institute of Infectious Diseases and
Vaccinology, No. 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan
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8
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Disulfide bond assignment of an IgG1 monoclonal antibody by LC–MS with post-column partial reduction. Anal Biochem 2013; 436:93-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2013.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Li X, Xu W, Paporello B, Richardson D, Liu H. Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry with post-column partial reduction for the analysis of native and scrambled disulfide bonds. Anal Biochem 2013; 439:184-6. [PMID: 23639491 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2013.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A method capable of detecting both native and scrambled disulfide bonds has been established. Nonreduced protein digests were separated using a reversed-phase C18 column, partially reduced by post-column addition of a reducing reagent, and then analyzed by mass spectrometry. Disulfide bond linkage was established by matching the retention times of cysteine-containing peptides and confirmed by the detection of the molecular weight of the disulfide-linked peptides. The application of this method was demonstrated by determination of the disulfide bond structures of an immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) molecule and lysozyme and by the detection of four scrambled disulfide bonds in the IgG1 molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Li
- Merck Research Laboratories, Union, NJ 07083, USA
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Huang SY, Hsieh YT, Chen CH, Chen CC, Sung WC, Chou MY, Chen SF. Automatic Disulfide Bond Assignment Using a1Ion Screening by Mass Spectrometry for Structural Characterization of Protein Pharmaceuticals. Anal Chem 2012; 84:4900-6. [DOI: 10.1021/ac3005007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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11
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Determination of Peptide and Protein Disulfide Linkages by MALDI Mass Spectrometry. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2012; 331:79-116. [DOI: 10.1007/128_2012_384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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12
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Yang H, Liu N, Qiu X, Liu S. A new method for analysis of disulfide-containing proteins by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2009; 20:2284-93. [PMID: 19815426 DOI: 10.1016/j.jasms.2009.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2009] [Revised: 08/24/2009] [Accepted: 08/24/2009] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A simple and high-throughput method for the identification of disulfide-containing peptides utilizing peptide-matrix adducts is described. Some commonly used matrices in MALDI mass spectrometry were found to specifically react with sulfhydryl groups within peptide, thus allowing the observation of the peptide-matrix adduct ion [M + n + n' matrix + H]+ or [M + n + n' matrix + Na]+ (n = the number of cysteine residues, n' = 1, 2, ... , n) in MALDI mass spectra after chemical reduction of disulfide-linked peptides. Among several matrices tested, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA, molecular mass 189 Da) and alpha-cyano-3-hydroxycinnamic acid (3-HCCA) were found to be more effective for MALDI analysis of disulfide-containing peptides/proteins. Two reduced cysteines involved in a disulfide bridge resulted in a mass shift of 189 Da per cysteine, so the number of disulfide bonds could then be determined, while for the other matrices (sinapinic acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid), a similar addition reaction could not occur unless the reaction was carried out under alkaline conditions. The underlying mechanism of the reaction of the matrix addition at sulfhydryl groups is proposed, and several factors that might affect the formation of the peptide-matrix adducts were investigated. In general, this method is fast, effective, and robust to identify disulfide bonds in proteins/peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Yang
- Changchun Center of Mass Spectrometry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, P.R. China
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