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Brown CO, Westring CG, Danielson PB, Legg KM. Saliva identification in forensic samples by automated microextraction and intact mass analysis of statherin. J Forensic Sci 2024; 69:640-650. [PMID: 38173363 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The enzyme α-amylase has long been a commonly targeted protein in serological tests for saliva. While being especially abundant in saliva, α-amylase is detectable in vaginal secretions, sweat, fecal matter, breast milk and other matrices. As a result, assays for α-amylase only provide a presumptive indication of saliva. The availability of mass spectrometry-based tools for the detection of less abundant, but more specific, protein targets (e.g., human statherin) has enabled the development of high confidence assays for human saliva. Sample throughput, however, has traditionally been low due to multi-step workflows for protein extraction, quantitation, enzymatic digestion, solid phase cleanup, and nano-/capillary-based chromatography. Here, we present two novel "direct" single-stage extraction strategies for sample preparation. These feature immunoaffinity purification and reversed-phase solid-phase microextraction in conjunction with intact mass analysis of human statherin for saliva identification. Mass analysis was performed on the Thermo Scientific Q-Exactive™ Orbitrap mass spectrometer with a 10-min analytical run time. Data analysis was performed using Byos® from Protein Metrics. Two sample sets were analyzed with a population of 20 individuals to evaluate detection reliability. A series of casework-type samples were then assayed to evaluate performance in an authentic forensic context. Statherin was confidently identified in 92% and 71% of samples extracted using the immunoaffinity purification and solid phase microextraction approaches, respectively. Overall, immunoaffinity purification outperformed the solid phase microextraction, especially with complex mixtures. In toto, robotic extraction and intact mass spectrometry enable the reliable identification of trace human saliva in a variety of sample types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine O Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Christian G Westring
- Center for Crime and Forensics, Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, Indiana, USA
| | - Phillip B Danielson
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
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2
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Michaud SA, Pětrošová H, Sinclair NJ, Kinnear AL, Jackson AM, McGuire JC, Hardie DB, Bhowmick P, Ganguly M, Flenniken AM, Nutter LMJ, McKerlie C, Smith D, Mohammed Y, Schibli D, Sickmann A, Borchers CH. Multiple reaction monitoring assays for large-scale quantitation of proteins from 20 mouse organs and tissues. Commun Biol 2024; 7:6. [PMID: 38168632 PMCID: PMC10762018 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05687-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Mouse is the mammalian model of choice to study human health and disease due to its size, ease of breeding and the natural occurrence of conditions mimicking human pathology. Here we design and validate multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (MRM-MS) assays for quantitation of 2118 unique proteins in 20 murine tissues and organs. We provide open access to technical aspects of these assays to enable their implementation in other laboratories, and demonstrate their suitability for proteomic profiling in mice by measuring normal protein abundances in tissues from three mouse strains: C57BL/6NCrl, NOD/SCID, and BALB/cAnNCrl. Sex- and strain-specific differences in protein abundances are identified and described, and the measured values are freely accessible via our MouseQuaPro database: http://mousequapro.proteincentre.com . Together, this large library of quantitative MRM-MS assays established in mice and the measured baseline protein abundances represent an important resource for research involving mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Michaud
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada.
| | - Helena Pětrošová
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Nicholas J Sinclair
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Andrea L Kinnear
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Angela M Jackson
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Jamie C McGuire
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Darryl B Hardie
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Pallab Bhowmick
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Milan Ganguly
- The Center for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ann M Flenniken
- The Center for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Sinai Health Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lauryl M J Nutter
- The Center for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Derek Smith
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Yassene Mohammed
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V, Dortmund, 44139, Germany
- Segal Cancer Proteomics Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David Schibli
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Albert Sickmann
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V, Dortmund, 44139, Germany
| | - Christoph H Borchers
- Segal Cancer Proteomics Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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3
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Kim A, Kelly PF, Turner MA, Reynolds JC. Development of a rapid, in-situ analysis method using sheath-flow probe electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry for the direct identification of cocaine metabolites in dried blood spots. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2023; 37:e9422. [PMID: 36278930 PMCID: PMC9788050 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Small amounts of biofluid samples are frequently found at crime scenes; however, existing gold standard methods such as LC-MS frequently require destructive extraction of the sample before a time-consuming analysis which puts strain on forensic analysis providers and can preclude further sample analysis. This study presents the application of sheath-flow probe electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (sfPESI-MS) to the direct analysis of drug metabolites in dried blood spots (DBS) as a high throughput, minimally destructive alternative. METHODS A rapid direct analysis method using a sfPESI ionisation source coupled to an Orbitrap Exactive mass spectrometer was applied to detect cocaine metabolites (benzoylecgonine, BZE, cocaethylene, CE, and ecgonine methyl ester, EME) from DBS. An optimisation study exploring the use of different chemical modifiers (formic acid and sodium acetate) in the sfPESI probe extraction solvent was conducted to enhance the sensitivity and reproducibility of the sfPESI-MS method. RESULTS Optimisation of the extraction solvent significantly enhanced the sensitivity and reproducibility of the sfPESI-MS method. A quantitative response over a five-point calibration range 0.5 to 10 μg/ml was obtained for BZE (R2 = 0.9979) and CE (R2 = 0.9948). Limits of detection (LOD) of 1.31, 0.29 and 0.15 μg/ml were achieved for EME, BZE and CE, respectively, from 48 h aged DBSs with % RSD (relative standard deviation) across the calibration range ranging between 19%-28% for [BZE + H]+ , 13%-21% for [CE + H]+ and 12%-29% for [EME + H]+ . CONCLUSIONS A rapid (< 20 s) quantitative method for the direct analysis of cocaine metabolites from DBS which requires no prior sample preparation was developed. Although the LOD achieved for BZE (LOD: 0.29 μg/ml) was above the UK threshold limit of exposure for drug driving (0.05 μg/ml), the method may be suitable for use in identifying overdose in forensic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayoung Kim
- Centre for Analytical Science, Department of ChemistryLoughborough UniversityUK
| | - Paul F. Kelly
- Centre for Analytical Science, Department of ChemistryLoughborough UniversityUK
| | - Matthew A. Turner
- Centre for Analytical Science, Department of ChemistryLoughborough UniversityUK
| | - James C. Reynolds
- Centre for Analytical Science, Department of ChemistryLoughborough UniversityUK
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4
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Davidovics R, Saw YL, Brown CO, Prinz M, McKiernan HE, Danielson PB, Legg KM. High-throughput seminal fluid identification by automated immunoaffinity mass spectrometry. J Forensic Sci 2022; 67:1184-1190. [PMID: 35023573 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The identification of semen during a criminal investigation may be a critical component in the prosecution of a sexual assault. Commonly employed enzymatic and affinity-based methods for detection lack specificity, are time-consuming, and only provide a presumptive indication that semen is present where microscopic visualization is unable to meet the throughput demands. Contrary to traditional approaches, protein mass spectrometry provides true confirmatory results, but multiday sample preparation and nanoflow sample separation requirements have limited the practical applicability of these approaches. Aiming at streamlining sexual assault screening by mass spectrometry, the work here coupled a 60-minute rapid tryptic digestion, semenogelin-II peptide affinity purification on an Agilent AssayMap Bravo automation platform, and a 3-minute targeted LC-MS/MS method on an Agilent 6495 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode for detecting semenogelin-II peptides in sexual assault samples. The developed assay was assessed using casework-type samples and was successful in detecting trace levels (0.0001 μl) of semen recovered from both cotton and vaginal swabs, as well as semen recovered from vaginal swabs during menses or adulterated with personal lubricants. This work represents a promising technique for high-throughput seminal fluid identification in sexual assault-type samples by mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Davidovics
- NMS Labs, Horsham, Pennsylvania, USA.,College of Life Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yih Ling Saw
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Catherine O Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Denver, Denver, Colordo, USA
| | - Mechthild Prinz
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, New York, USA
| | - Heather E McKiernan
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Phillip B Danielson
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Denver, Denver, Colordo, USA
| | - Kevin M Legg
- College of Life Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, USA
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Pinto G, Illiano A, Ferrucci V, Quarantelli F, Fontanarosa C, Siciliano R, Di Domenico C, Izzo B, Pucci P, Marino G, Zollo M, Amoresano A. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Proteins from Nasopharyngeal Swabs Probed by Multiple Reaction Monitoring Tandem Mass Spectrometry. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:34945-34953. [PMID: 34926968 PMCID: PMC8672425 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Numerous reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests have emerged over the past year as the gold standard for detecting millions of cases of SARS-CoV-2 reported daily worldwide. However, problems with critical shortages of key reagents such as PCR primers and RNA extraction kits and unpredictable test reliability related to high viral replication cycles have triggered the need for alternative methodologies to PCR to detect specific COVID-19 proteins. Several authors have developed methods based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to confirm the potential of the technique to detect two major proteins, the spike and the nucleoprotein, of COVID-19. In the present work, an S-Trap mini spin column digestion protocol was used for sample preparation prodromal to LC-MS/MS analysis in multiple reactions monitoring ion mode (MRM) to obtain a comprehensive method capable of detecting different viral proteins. The developed method was applied to n. 81 oro/nasopharyngeal swabs submitted in parallel to quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assays to detect RdRP, the S and N genes specific for COVID-19, and the E gene for all Sarbecoviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (with cycle negativity threshold set to 40). A total of 23 peptides representative of the six specific viral proteins were detected in the monitoring of 128 transitions found to have good ionic currents extracted in clinical samples that reacted differently to the PCR assay. The best instrumental response came from the FLPFQFGR sequence of spike [558-566] peptide used to test the analytical performance of the method that has good sensitivity with a low false-negative rate. Transition monitoring using a targeted MS approach has the great potential to detect the fragmentation reactions of any peptide molecularly defined by a specific amino acid sequence, offering the extensibility of the approach to any viral sequence including derived variants and thus providing insights into the development of new types of clinical diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Pinto
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Istituto
Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi-Consorzio Interuniversitario, Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro,
305, 00136 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Illiano
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE
Advanced Biotechnology, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Istituto
Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi-Consorzio Interuniversitario, Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro,
305, 00136 Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrucci
- CEINGE
Advanced Biotechnology, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department
of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Carolina Fontanarosa
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Istituto
Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi-Consorzio Interuniversitario, Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro,
305, 00136 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Siciliano
- CEINGE
Advanced Biotechnology, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmela Di Domenico
- CEINGE
Advanced Biotechnology, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Izzo
- CEINGE
Advanced Biotechnology, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department
of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Piero Pucci
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE
Advanced Biotechnology, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Gennaro Marino
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Zollo
- CEINGE
Advanced Biotechnology, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department
of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Amoresano
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Istituto
Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi-Consorzio Interuniversitario, Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro,
305, 00136 Rome, Italy
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McKiernan HE, Danielson PB, Brown CO, Signaevsky M, Westring CG, Legg KM. Developmental validation of a multiplex proteomic assay for the identification of forensically relevant biological fluids. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 326:110908. [PMID: 34311288 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to validate a multiplex proteomic assay for the identification of high-specificity protein biomarkers by multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for the accurate, reliable, and confirmatory identification of bodily fluids commonly encountered in a forensic context. This includes the identification of peripheral blood, semen, saliva, urine, and vaginal/menstrual fluid. The assay is able to efficiently identify pure or mixed stains through the identification of target peptide fragments originating from tissue-specific proteins including: uromodulin from urine; prostatic acid phosphatase, prostate specific antigen and semenogelin-II for semen; statherin, submaxillary gland androgen-regulated protein 3B and amylase for saliva; cornulin, martrigel-induced gene C4 protein, suprabasin and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin for vaginal/menstrual fluid; and alpha-1 antitrypsin, hemopexin, and hemoglobin subunit beta for peripheral blood. Based on the results of the developmental validation studies which included an assessment of reproducibility and repeatability, sensitivity, species specificity, carryover, mixtures, as well as a series of casework type samples. Only a small selection of case samples was unable to unambiguously identify the target fluid including urine recovered from substrates as well as semen when mixed with personal lubricants. Overall, the mass spectrometry-based workflow offers significant advantages compared to existing serological methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather E McKiernan
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA 19038, USA
| | - Phillip B Danielson
- The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education, Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA; The University of Denver, Department of Biological Sciences, Denver, CO 80208, USA
| | - Catherine O Brown
- The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education, Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA; The University of Denver, Department of Biological Sciences, Denver, CO 80208, USA
| | - Masha Signaevsky
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA 19038, USA
| | - Christian G Westring
- Purdue University Northwest, Center for Crime, Forensics, and Security Analysis, Hammond, IN 46323, USA
| | - Kevin M Legg
- The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education, Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA.
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7
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Forensic proteomics. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2021; 54:102529. [PMID: 34139528 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Protein is a major component of all biological evidence, often the matrix that embeds other biomolecules such as polynucleotides, lipids, carbohydrates, and small molecules. The proteins in a sample reflect the transcriptional and translational program of the originating cell types. Because of this, proteins can be used to identify body fluids and tissues, as well as convey genetic information in the form of single amino acid polymorphisms, the result of non-synonymous SNPs. This review explores the application and potential of forensic proteomics. The historical role that protein analysis played in the development of forensic science is examined. This review details how innovations in proteomic mass spectrometry have addressed many of the historical limitations of forensic protein science, and how the application of forensic proteomics differs from proteomics in the life sciences. Two more developed applications of forensic proteomics are examined in detail: body fluid and tissue identification, and proteomic genotyping. The review then highlights developing areas of proteomics that have the potential to impact forensic science in the near future: fingermark analysis, species identification, peptide toxicology, proteomic sex estimation, and estimation of post-mortem intervals. Finally, the review highlights some of the newer innovations in proteomics that may drive further development of the field. In addition to potential impact, this review also attempts to evaluate the stage of each application in the development, validation and implementation process. This review is targeted at investigators who are interested in learning about proteomics in a forensic context and expanding the amount of information they can extract from biological evidence.
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Identification and Relative Quantification of hFSH Glycoforms in Women's Sera via MS-PRM-Based Approach. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13060798. [PMID: 34071747 PMCID: PMC8226871 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13060798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a glycohormone synthesized by adenohypophysis, and it stimulates ovulation in women and spermatogenesis in men by binding to its receptor (FSHR). FSHR is involved in several mechanisms to transduce intracellular signals in response to the FSH stimulus. Exogenous FSH is currently used in the clinic for ovarian hyperstimulation during in vitro fertilization in women, and for treatment of infertility caused by gonadotropin deficiency in men. The glycosylation of FSH strongly affects the binding affinity to its receptor, hence significantly influencing the biological activity of the hormone. Therefore, the accurate measurement and characterization of serum hFSH glycoforms will contribute to elucidating the complex mechanism of action by which different glycoforms elicit distinct biological activity. Nowadays ELISA is the official method with which to monitor serum hFSH, but the test is unable to distinguish between the different FSH glycovariants and is therefore unsuitable to study the biological activity of this hormone. This study presents a preliminary alternative strategy for identifying and quantifying serum hFSH glycoforms based on immunopurification assay and mass spectrometry (MS), and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) analysis. In this study, we provide an MS–PRM data acquisition method for hFSH glycopeptides identification with high specificity and their quantification by extracting the chromatographic traces of selected fragments of glycopeptides. Once set up for all its features, the proposed method could be transferred to the clinic to improve fertility treatments and follow-ups in men and women.
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Chan QWT, Rogalski J, Moon KM, Foster LJ. The application of forensic proteomics to identify an unknown snake venom in a deceased toddler. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 323:110820. [PMID: 33984813 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Proteomics is the global analysis of proteins in a sample, and its methodologies are commonly applied in life science research. Despite its wide applicability however, proteomics is rarely used as a tool in criminal investigations. Here we present a case where the technique provided key evidence in a case that involved the death of a two-year old girl. The defendant was known to keep exotic snakes, including several venomous species, which led the coroner to probe whether there could be snake venom in the blood of the deceased. One major challenge of the investigation was the overwhelming presence of several blood proteins, such as apolipoprotein and complement proteins, which hinders the detection of less abundant analytes. In a counter-acting strategy, a combination of immunodepletion and fractionation methods was used; the sample was then submitted to tandem mass spectrometry for peptide identification. Using this strategy, 15,000 peptides could be sequenced. However, the subsequent challenge was to differentiate between human and snake proteins, given the genetic similarities that are shared by the two vertebrate species. After a thorough bioinformatics search and manual inspection, we found that<1% of the sequenced peptides could be matched unequivocally to snake proteins, including a well-known venom component, phospholipase A2. This evidence, in part, led to a court-issued search warrant of the defendant's home, followed by his arrest and an eventual guilty plea with formal sentencing to 18 months in prison. The work outlined here is an example of how proteomics technology can help to expand the toolkit for molecular forensics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Queenie W T Chan
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2185 E Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jason Rogalski
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2185 E Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Kyung-Mee Moon
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2185 E Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Leonard J Foster
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2185 E Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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Pinto G, Aurilia M, Illiano A, Fontanarosa C, Sannia G, Trifuoggi M, Lettera V, Sperandeo R, Pucci P, Amoresano A. From untargeted metabolomics to the multiple reaction monitoring-based quantification of polyphenols in chocolates from different geographical areas. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2021; 56:e4651. [PMID: 32893948 DOI: 10.1002/jms.4651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Plants, including cocoa bean, are the main source of metabolites with multiple biological functions. Polyphenol extracts are widely used as a nutraceutical supplement for their well-known health-promoting role. In this paper, a preliminary untargeted metabolic screening was carried out by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-time of flight (TOF)/TOF on a pool of chocolate samples made by cocoa beans of different geographical areas. Then, a targeted approach was developed for polyphenol quantification by an optimized Liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) ion mode. Detection limit of polyphenol standard ranged between 1 and 25 pg/μl with variation coefficient lower than 15%. External calibration curves were used for quantification of polyphenols in 18 samples. Fifty polyphenols were detected in a single LC-MRM/MS run and quantified by monitoring almost 90 transitions in a 5-minute run. The polyphenols content of different cocoa beans from several countries was finally compared by principal component analysis (PCA) statistical analysis suggesting that the chocolate made by Ecuador cocoa beans showed the highest level of polyphenols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Pinto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 26, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Michela Aurilia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 26, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Anna Illiano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 26, Naples, 80126, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnology, Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Gaetano Salvatore, 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Carolina Fontanarosa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 26, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sannia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 26, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Marco Trifuoggi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 26, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Lettera
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 26, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Raffaele Sperandeo
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Via Nazario Sauro, 85, Potenza, 85100, Italy
| | - Piero Pucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 26, Naples, 80126, Italy
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnology, Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Gaetano Salvatore, 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Amoresano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Cinthia, 26, Naples, 80126, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Consorzio Interuniversitario Viale delle, Medaglie d'Oro, 305, Roma, 00136, Italy
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Kennedy K, Heaton C, Langenburg G, Cole L, Clark T, Clench MR, Sears V, Sealey M, McColm R, Francese S. Pre-validation of a MALDI MS proteomics-based method for the reliable detection of blood and blood provenance. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17087. [PMID: 33051553 PMCID: PMC7555906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74253-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The reliable identification of blood, as well as the determination of its origin (human or animal) is of great importance in a forensic investigation. Whilst presumptive tests are rapid and deployed in situ, their very nature requires confirmatory tests to be performed remotely. However, only serological tests can determine blood provenance. The present study improves on a previously devised Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (MALDI MS)—proteomics based method for the reliable detection of blood by enabling the determination of blood provenance. The overall protocol was developed to be more specific than presumptive tests and faster/easier than the gold standard liquid chromatography (LC) MS/MS analysis. This is considered a pre-validation study that has investigated stains and fingermarks made in blood, other biofluids and substances that can elicit a false-positive response to colorimetric or presumptive tests, in a blind fashion. Stains and marks were either untreated or enhanced with a range of presumptive tests. Human and animal blood were correctly discriminated from other biofluids and non-biofluid related matrices; animal species determination was also possible within the system investigated. The procedure is compatible with the prior application of presumptive tests. The refined strategy resulting from iterative improvements through a trial and error study of 56 samples was applied to a final set of 13 blind samples. This final study yielded 12/13 correct identifications with the 13th sample being correctly identified as animal blood but with no species attribution. This body of work will contribute towards the validation of MALDI MS based methods and deployment in violent crimes involving bloodshed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Kennedy
- Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Cameron Heaton
- Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Laura Cole
- Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Tom Clark
- Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Malcolm R Clench
- Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Vaughn Sears
- Former Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST), Home Office, St Albans, UK
| | - Mark Sealey
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratories (DSTL), Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - Richard McColm
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratories (DSTL), Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - Simona Francese
- Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
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Multiple-Reaction Monitoring Tandem Mass Method for Determination of Phenolics and Water-Soluble Vitamins in Eccoilopus formosanus. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25163632. [PMID: 32785047 PMCID: PMC7464304 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25163632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study established a validated method for the quantitative and qualitative determination of eight signature compounds in Eccoilopus formosanus. We used multiple-reaction monitoring scanning for quantification, and switched the electrospray ion source polarity between positive and negative modes in a single chromatographic run. The precursor-to-product ion transitions were m/z 355/163, m/z 181/163, m/z 265/122, m/z 269/117, m/z 170/152, m/z 377.2/180.7, m/z 169/124.8 and m/z 193/134 for chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, thiamine, apigenin, pyridoxamin, riboflavin, gallic acid and ferulic acid, respectively. The developed method was also validated for accuracy, precision and limit of quantification. In this method, eight compounds were quantified with correlation coefficients of greater than 0.995. A high recovery (81.5-94.1%) and good reproducibility was obtained for five phenolics and three vitamins with the relative standard deviation, ranging from 1.2 to 3.5%. This method may be applied to the determination of both phenolics and water-soluble vitamins in cereal grain. The results may suggest that the extract of E. formosanus could be a good source of bioactive phytochemicals.
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Pinto G, Illiano A, Carpentieri A, Spinelli M, Melchiorre C, Fontanarosa C, di Serio M, Amoresano A. Quantification of Polyphenols and Metals in Chinese Tea Infusions by Mass Spectrometry. Foods 2020; 9:foods9060835. [PMID: 32630507 PMCID: PMC7353651 DOI: 10.3390/foods9060835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical compounds within tea (Camellia sinensis) are characterized by an extensive heterogeneity; some of them are crucial for their protective and defensive role in plants, and are closely connected to the benefits that the consumption of tea can provide. This paper is mainly focused on the characterization of polyphenols (secondary metabolites generally involved in defense against ultraviolet radiation and aggression by pathogens) and metals, extracted from nine Chinese tea samples, by integrating different mass spectrometry methodologies, LC-MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Our approach allowed to identify and compare forty polyphenols differently distributed in tea infusions at various fermentation levels. The exploration of polyphenols with nutraceutical potential in tea infusions can widely benefit especially tea-oriented populations. The worldwide consumption of tea requires at the same time a careful monitoring of metals released during the infusion of tea leaves. Metal analysis can provide the identification of many healthy minerals such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, differently affected by the fermentation of leaves. Our results allowed us: (i) to draw up a polyphenols profile of tea leaves subjected to different fermentation processes; (ii) to identify and quantify metals released from tea leaves during infusion. In this way, we obtained a molecular fingerprint useful for both nutraceutical applications and food control/typization, as well as for frauds detection and counterfeiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Pinto
- Department Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Monte S. Angelo-Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.P.); (A.C.); (M.S.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (M.d.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Anna Illiano
- Department Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Monte S. Angelo-Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.P.); (A.C.); (M.S.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (M.d.S.); (A.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea Carpentieri
- Department Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Monte S. Angelo-Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.P.); (A.C.); (M.S.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (M.d.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Michele Spinelli
- Department Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Monte S. Angelo-Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.P.); (A.C.); (M.S.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (M.d.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Chiara Melchiorre
- Department Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Monte S. Angelo-Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.P.); (A.C.); (M.S.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (M.d.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Carolina Fontanarosa
- Department Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Monte S. Angelo-Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.P.); (A.C.); (M.S.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (M.d.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Martino di Serio
- Department Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Monte S. Angelo-Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.P.); (A.C.); (M.S.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (M.d.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Angela Amoresano
- Department Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Monte S. Angelo-Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (G.P.); (A.C.); (M.S.); (C.M.); (C.F.); (M.d.S.); (A.A.)
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi-Consorzio Interuniversitario Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro, 305, 00136 Roma RM, Italy
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Butler JM, Willis S. Interpol review of forensic biology and forensic DNA typing 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2020; 2:352-367. [PMID: 33385135 PMCID: PMC7770417 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2019.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in biological sciences from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.
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Swiner DJ, Jackson S, Burris BJ, Badu-Tawiah AK. Applications of Mass Spectrometry for Clinical Diagnostics: The Influence of Turnaround Time. Anal Chem 2020; 92:183-202. [PMID: 31671262 PMCID: PMC7896279 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
This critical review discusses how the need for reduced clinical turnaround times has influenced chemical instrumentation. We focus on the development of modern mass spectrometry (MS) and its application in clinical diagnosis. With increased functionality that takes advantage of novel front-end modifications and computational capabilities, MS can now be used for non-traditional clinical analyses, including applications in clinical microbiology for bacteria differentiation and in surgical operation rooms. We summarize here recent developments in the field that have enabled such capabilities, which include miniaturization for point-of-care testing, direct complex mixture analysis via ambient ionization, chemical imaging and profiling, and systems integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin J. Swiner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Sierra Jackson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Benjamin J. Burris
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Abraham K. Badu-Tawiah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
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16
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Mass spectrometry-based proteomics for the forensic identification of vomit traces. J Proteomics 2019; 209:103524. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2019.103524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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17
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Lab-made solid phase microextraction phases for off line extraction and direct mass spectrometry analysis: Evaluating the extraction parameters. J Chromatogr A 2019; 1603:23-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2019.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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18
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Identification of proteinaceous binders in paintings: A targeted proteomic approach for cultural heritage. Microchem J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2018.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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