Detection of Podocin in Human Urine Sediment Samples by Charge Derivatization and LC-MS-MRM Method

Qualitative and Quantitative Mass Spectrometry in Salivary Metabolomics and Proteomics

The metabolomics and proteomics analysis of saliva, an excellent biofluid that is a rich source of biological compounds, allows for the safe and frequent screening of drugs, their metabolites, and molecular biomarkers of various diseases. One of the most frequently used analytical methods in saliva analysis is liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry. The low ionisation efficiency of some compounds and a complex matrix makes their identification by MS difficult. Furthermore, quantitative analysis by LC-MS frequently cannot be performed without isotopically labelled standards, which usually have to be specially synthesised. This review presented reports on qualitative and quantitative approaches in salivary metabolomics and proteomics. The purpose of this manuscript was to present the challenges, advances, and future prospects of mass spectrometry, both in the analysis of salivary metabolites and proteins. The presented review should appeal to those interested in the recent advances and trends in qualitative and quantitative mass spectrometry in salivary metabolomics and proteomics, which may facilitate a diagnostic accuracy, the evaluation of treatment efficacy, the early diagnosis of disease, and a forensic investigation of some unapproved drugs for any medical or dietary administration.

Determination of the species origin and thrombin-like enzyme content of <italic>Bothrops atrox</italic> venom by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry based on marker peptide

蛇毒血凝酶类药物是以蝮蛇蛇毒为原料制备的止血药,主要活性成分为蛇毒类凝血酶(svTLEs)。不同蛇种来源的svTLEs结构不同,止血机制不同,药理作用也存在差异,因此准确鉴别蛇毒种属来源和svTLEs含量对于保障该类产品的质量至关重要。研究基于蛋白质组学技术,筛选出了具有种属特异性的矛头蝮蛇svTLE特征肽,并建立了基于特征肽的超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UHPLC-MS/MS)检测矛头蝮蛇蛇毒种属来源及类凝血酶含量的方法。采用胰蛋白酶对纯化的矛头蝮蛇svTLE进行酶解,利用纳升液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱(Nano LC-Q-Exactive-MS)和Proteome Discoverer 2.2软件分别进行多肽的检测和鉴定,通过BLAST搜索与Uniprot数据库对比分析,筛选出具有种属特异性的矛头蝮蛇svTLEs特征肽“EAYNGLPAK”。针对该特征肽对酶解温度、酶解时间和酶用量等样品前处理方法进行了优化,利用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱,以m/z 481.9>315.2和481.9>485.2作为检测离子对,采用ESI⁺模式进行了多反应监测(MRM)定性定量分析。结果显示,特征肽在2.5~30 ng/mL范围内线性关系良好,相关系数(r)大于0.9996,多水平加标回收率范围为95.5%~101.9%,各水平平行测定结果的相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.1%~3.2%,完全能够满足实际样品检测需求。方法简便快捷,灵敏度高,专属性强,可用于矛头蝮蛇蛇毒种属鉴别及svTLE含量测定,从源头保证血凝酶类产品的质量,并可为其他蛇毒类产品的质量控制提供参考。

Catch, Modify and Analyze: Methods of Chemoselective Modification of Cysteine-Containing Peptides

One effective solution in the analysis of complex mixtures, including protein or cell hydrolysates, is based on chemoselective derivatization of a selected group of compounds by using selective tags to facilitate detection. Another method is based on the capture of the desired compounds by properly designed solid supports, resulting in sample enrichment. Cysteine is one of the rarest amino acids, but at least one cysteine residue is present in more than 91% of human proteins, which clearly confirms its important role in biological systems. Some cysteine-containing peptides may serve as significant molecular biomarkers, which may emerge as key indices in the management of patients with particular diseases. In the current review, we describe recent advances in the development of cysteine-containing peptide modification techniques based on solution and solid phase derivatization and enrichment strategies.

Peptide Charge Derivatization as a Tool for Early Detection of Preeclampsia by Mass Spectrometry-A Comparison with the ELISA Test

Early detection of any preeclampsia biomarkers may lower the risk of mortality, both for a mother and a child. Our study focuses on techniques for preeclampsia biomarker identification by comparing the results of a method using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode (LC-MS/MS) with those by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, as well as by comparing the obtained results with clinical data. In the proposed LC-MS/MS method a tryptic digest peptide charge derivatization strategy was used as a tool for sensitive detection of podocin, i.e., a previously discovered preeclampsia biomarker present in urine samples from pregnant women. Urine samples from pregnant women with diagnosed preeclampsia were collected at different stages of pregnancy and from healthy subjects, and then were analyzed by ELISA test and the proposed method with LC-MS/MS. Charge derivatization of the ε amino group of C-terminal lysine residues in tryptic digests by 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium salt was performed to increase the ionization efficiency in the LC-MS/MS mode. Podocin was identified at the early stage of pregnancy, while its detection using an ELISA test was not possible. The protocol for urine sample preparation was optimized. Our results show that the proposed method by LC-MS/MS in combination with peptide charge derivatization, provides an ultrasensitive tool for diagnosis of preeclampsia, and provides earlier detection than a clinical diagnosis or ELISA test. The proposed solution may revolutionize medical diagnostics.

Analysis of Fragmentation Pathways of Peptide Modified with Quaternary Ammonium and Phosphonium Group as Ionization Enhancers

Peptide modification by a quaternary ammonium group containing a permanent positive charge is a promising method of increasing the ionization efficiency of the analyzed compounds, making ultra-sensitive detection even at the attomolar level possible. Charge-derivatized peptides may undergo both charge remote (ChR) and charge-directed (ChD) fragmentation. A series of model peptide conjugates derivatized with N,N,N-triethyloammonium (TEA), 1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (ABCO), 2,4,6-triphenylopyridinium (TPP) and tris(2,4,6-trimetoxyphenylo)phosphonium (TMPP) groups were analyzed by their fragmentation pathways both in collision-induced dissociation (CID) and electron-capture dissociation (ECD) mode. The effect of the fixed-charge tag type and peptide sequence on the fragmentation pathways was investigated. We found that the aspartic acid effect plays a crucial role in the CID fragmentation of TPP and TEA peptide conjugates whereas it was not resolved for the peptides derivatized with the phosphonium group. ECD spectra are mostly dominated by c_n ions. ECD fragmentation of TMPP-modified peptides results in the formation of intense fragments derived from this fixed-charge tag, which may serve as reporter ion.

A Non-Covalent Dimer Formation of Quaternary Ammonium Cation with Unusual Charge Neutralization in Electrospray-Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Specific and nonspecific non-covalent molecular association of biomolecules is characteristic for electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry analysis of biomolecules. Understanding the interaction between two associated molecules is of significance not only from the biological point of view but also gas phase analysis by mass spectrometry. Here we reported a formation of non-covalent dimer of quaternary ammonium denatonium cation with +1 charge detected in the positive ion mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis of denatonium benzoate. Hydrogen deuterium exchange of amide and carbon-bonded hydrogens revealed that charge neutralization of one denatonium cation is the consequence of amide hydrogen dissociation. DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculations proved high thermodynamic stable of formed dimer stabilized by the short and strong N..H-N hydrogen bond. The signal intensity of the peak characterizing non-covalent dimer is low intensity and does not depend on the sample concentration. Additionally, dimer observation was found to be instrument-dependent. The current investigation is the first experimental and theoretical study on the quaternary ammonium ions dimer. Thus the present study has great significance for understanding the structures of the biomolecules as well as materials.