Towards defining the urinary proteome using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. I. Profiling an unfractionated tryptic digest

The proteome of normal male urine from a commercial pooled source has been examined using direct liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The entire urinary protein mixture was denatured, reduced and enzymatically digested prior to LC-MS/MS analysis using a hybrid-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Q-TOF) to perform data-dependent ion selection and fragmentation. To fragment as many peptides as possible, the mixture was analyzed four separate times, with the mass spectrometer selecting ions for fragmentation from a subset of the entire mass range for each run. This approach requires only an autosampler on the HPLC for automation (i.e, unattended operation). Across these four analyses, 1.450 peptide MS/MS spectra were matched to 751 sequences to identify 124 gene products (proteins and translations of expressed sequence tags). Interestingly, the experimental time for these analyses was less than that required to run a single two-dimensional gel.

Identification of incompletely processed potential carboxypeptidase E substrates from CpEfat/CpEfat mice

In an attempt to identify peptides that may be involved in the obese phenotype observed in CpEfat/CpEfat mice (deficient in Carboxypeptidase E, CpE) samples from fourteen neuroendocrine tissues in wild-type and CpEfat/CpEfat mice were obtained. Peptides were purified from these tissues and potential CpE substrate peptides were enriched using an anhydrotrypsin column that captures peptides with basic C-termini. Bound peptides were subjected to tryptic digestion and followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The relative levels of CpEfat/CpEfat versus wild-type peptides were determined by comparison of the ion intensities. Peptide ions elevated in the CpEfat/CpEfat samples were identified by targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. From those ions, 27 peptides derived from known neuropeptides (including CpE substrates) were identified, together with another 25 peptides from proteins not known to be components of the neuropeptide processing pathway. The known CpE substrates identified included the recently discovered proSAAS, granin-like neuroendocrine peptide precursor that inhibits prohormone processing. The approach demonstrated the feasibility of using an affinity-based method for identifying differences in specific classes of peptides between normal and mutant mice.

Towards defining the urinary proteome using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. II. Limitations of complex mixture analyses

With an emphasis on obtaining a multitude of high quality tandem mass spectrometry spectra for protein identification, instrumental parameters are described for the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of trypsin digested unfractionated urine using a hybrid quadrupole-time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometer. Precursor acquisition rates of up to 20 distinct precursors/minute in a single analysis were obtained through the use of parallel precursor selection (four precursors/survey period) and variable collision induced dissociation integration time (1 to 6 periods summed). Maximal exploitation of the gas phase fractionated ions was obtained through the use of narrow survey scans and iterative data-dependent analyses incorporating dynamic exclusion. The impact on data fidelity as a product of data-dependent selection of precursor ions from a dynamically excluded field is discussed with regards to sample complexity, precursor selection rates, survey scan range and facile chemical modifications. Operational and post-analysis strategies are presented to restore data confidence and reconcile the greatest number of matched spectra.

A simplified device for protein identification by microcapillary gradient liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A simplified device and procedure have been developed for microcapillary gradient liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This procedure has proved useful in identifying low level quantities of proteins from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gel bands. Microelectrospray needles are packed with reversed-phase resin and function both as a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column and a nanospray mass spectrometer tip when interfaced between an HPLC and ion trap mass spectrometer. Variable submicroliter flow rates are generated by flow splitting between the microelectrospray capillary and an HPLC system. A manual injector is used to inject a protein digest mixture that binds to the column and is then washed at a high flow rate (2 microL/min post split). Gradient elution of bound peptides was initiated by the injection of a filled loop of 70% v/v methanol (5 microL) concomitant with a reduction of flow rate (0.1 microL/min post split). This forms a diffusion-dependent gradient of variable length (typically 15-30 min in length) depending upon the final flow rate. Chromatographic separations of a standard solution digest demonstrate that this diffusion-dependent gradient provides reasonable separations such that multiple peptide identifications by MS/MS can be obtained. Application of this methodology to the analysis of several in-gel-digested gel-separated proteins is presented to demonstrate its utility.

Human leptin receptor. Determination of disulfide structure and N-glycosylation sites of the extracellular domain

The leptin receptor (OB-R) is a member of the class I cytokine receptor family and mediates the weight regulatory effects of its ligand through interaction with cytoplasmic kinases. The extracellular domain of this receptor is comprised of two immunoglobulin-like and cytokine-receptor homology domains each and type III fibronectin domains. The extracellular domain of human leptin receptor was expressed in and purified from Chinese hamster ovary cells and was found to contain extensive N-glycosylation (approximately 36% of the total protein). The purified protein had a molecular weight of approximately 145,000 and exhibited ligand binding ability as evidenced by formation of ligand-receptor complex, followed by chemical cross-linking. The determined disulfide motif of the soluble leptin receptor contained several distinct cystine knots as well as 10 free cysteines. The N-glycosylation analysis revealed that Asn624 of the WSXWS motif (residues 622-626) within the C-terminal cytokine receptor homology domain was glycosylated, indicating that this region is solvent-exposed. On the other hand, the N-terminal WSXWS motif was not glycosylated.

Determination of disulfide structure in agouti-related protein (AGRP) by stepwise reduction and alkylation

The agouti-related protein gene (Agrp) plays an important role in body weight regulation. The mature human protein is a single polypeptide chain of 112 amino acid residues, consisting of an N-terminal acidic region and a unique C-terminal cysteine-rich domain. The disulfide structure of recombinant human AGRP was determined by chemical methods using partial reduction with tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine under acidic conditions, followed by direct alkylation with N-ethylmaleimide or fluorescein-5-maleimide. Partial reduction and alkylation provided several forms of AGRP that were modified in a stepwise fashion. The resulting proteins were characterized by peptide mapping, sequence analysis, and mass spectrometry, showing that AGRP contained a highly reducible disulfide bond, C85-C109, followed by less reactive ones, C90-C97, C74-C88, C67-C82, and C81-C99, respectively. The chemically defined disulfide connectivity of the recombinant human AGRP was homologous to that of omega-agatoxin IVB except for an additional disulfide bond, C85-C109.

Interactions between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the TRKB receptor. Identification of two ligand binding domains in soluble TRKB by affinity separation and chemical cross-linking

The extracellular domain of the human neurotrophin TRKB receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells is a highly glycosylated protein, possessing binding ability for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Two distinct ligand binding domains of TRKB were isolated from proteolytic digests of the receptor by affinity separation on immobilized BDNF. One of these domains consists of amino acid residues 103-181 and contains both the third leucine-rich motif and the second cysteine cluster domain. The second domain is close to the second immunoglobulin-like domain (amino acid residues 342-394). Each of these two domains can bind BDNF independently. Disulfide linkages present in the first domain are necessary for BDNF binding, probably because of preservation of the native conformation. To study the second domain in greater detail, a truncated form of TRKB containing the second immunoglobulin-like domain (residues 248-398) was expressed in Escherichia coli. This domain was cross-linked to BDNF through a 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide coupling reaction. Several synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acid residues 343-379 were able to bind immobilized BDNF. Amino acid substitution and cross-linking analysis indicated that amino acids Phe347, Asp354, and Tyr361 are intimately involved in BDNF binding. These results, obtained from a variety of experimental techniques, highlight the importance of two distinct regions of the extracellular domain of the TRKB receptor in binding BDNF.

High-sensitivity detection of 4-(3-pyridinylmethylaminocarboxypropyl) phenylthiohydantoins by capillary liquid chromatography-microelectrospray ion trap mass spectrometry

We describe the separation and detection at the low-femtomole level of 4-(3-pyridinylmethylaminocarboxypropyl) phenylthiohydantoins (311-PTHs) by capillary liquid chromatography-microelectrospray ion trap mass spectrometry. Highest sensitivity was obtained in the multiple-ion monitoring operating mode in which we detected 311-PTHs at the 5-fmol level with a signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 10. We investigated the fragmentation patterns of the isobaric 311-PTH isoleucine and 311-PTH leucine by electrospray ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. The compounds could be differentiated by a fragment ion of mass m/z = 366.1 which was specific for the breakdown of 311-PTH leucine, thus allowing for the unambiguous identification of the 311-PTH derivatives of all 20 naturally occurring amino acids by their masses and fragmentation patterns.

Identification and characterization of a substrate specific for the T cell protein tyrosine kinase ZAP-70

ZAP-70 is a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) that plays a critical role in T cell activation. To study the role of ZAP-70 catalytic activity in this process, a substrate capable of distinguishing between the activities of ZAP-70 and other PTKs would be useful, especially since it has recently been shown that ZAP-70 interacts with another T cell PTK, Lck. We have thus identified a site of phosphorylation on the cytoplasmic fragment of the erythrocyte band 3 protein that is recognized by ZAP-70, but not Lck. A synthetic peptide based on this site has been demonstrated to be a good in vitro substrate for ZAP-70 and a poor substrate for the T cell PTKs Lck and Itk. This peptide molecule should thus prove useful to many investigators working in the field of T cell activation.

Characterization of human serum amyloid A protein isoforms separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A detailed structural analysis of the serum amyloid A proteins (SAA) of an individual with highly active, chronic rheumatoid arthritis is reported. SAA isoforms were separated by high-resolution two dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis. Peptide mapping by reverse-phase chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was applied to correlate the protein(s) contained in each spot with their respective coding gene and to study the post-translational processing and modification events which might result in differential electrophoretic mobility. Nine protein spots were analyzed. The six major spots corresponded to the Arg and des-Arg forms of SAA1 alpha and SAA2 alpha, respectively, and to the glycosylated and nonglycosylated form of constitutive serum amyloid A protein (C-SAA). Two minor spots were identified as SAA1 alpha isoforms containing post-translational modifications. We suggest that these variants contained a gamma-N, N'-dimethylasparagine residue at position 83 and that one of them was additionally oxidized at Trp53 and Trp85. The ninth spot was shown to contain a mixture of SAA1 alpha and SAA2 alpha. To our knowledge, this is the first report in which analysis of peptides has been used to verify the presence of C-SAA in acute-phase serum. Furthermore, the data illustrate that extensive post-translational processing results in a structurally diverse class of acute-phase SAA proteins, which are derived from a small number of genes. Finally, the fast and conclusive technology used in this study promises to be generally useful for the comprehensive investigation of proteins at the level of the primary structure.

Synthesis of the protein-sequencing reagent 4-(3-pyridinylmethylaminocarboxypropyl) phenyl isothiocyanate and characterization of 4-(3-pyridinylmethylaminocarboxypropyl) phenylthiohydantoins

We report the synthesis and structural characterization of the novel Edman-type protein-sequencing reagent 4-(3-pyridinylmethylaminocarboxypropyl) phenyl isothiocyanate. A panel of thiohydantoins prepared from this reagent were found stable during liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry and were detectable at the low femtomole sensitivity level. Furthermore, the signal detected for these compounds in the mass spectrometer was linear from the low femtomole to the low picomole range. The derivatives showed uv absorbance spectra comparable to their phenylthiohydantoin counterparts. The extinction coefficient for the 4-(3-pyridinylmethylaminocarboxypropyl) phenyl thiohydantoin tyrosine was determined by adsorptive sequence analysis of a synthetic pentapeptide featuring an N-terminal 125I-labeled tyrosine. The sequence data suggest that the reagent will be useful for extended sequence analysis of proteins and peptides using commercially available gas-liquid-phase sequencers.

Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of 4-(3-pyridinylmethylaminocarboxypropyl) phenylthiohydantoins

We report the separation of 4-(3-pyridinylmethylaminocarboxypropyl) phenylthiohydantoins by microbore reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and their detection by on-line electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. These compounds are the products of the chemical stepwise degradation of polypeptides using 4-(3-pyridinylmethylaminocarboxypropyl) phenyl isothiocyanate. We describe chromatographic conditions for on-column concentration of the analytes and for baseline separation of the isobaric amino acid derivatives of leucine and isoleucine. A commercially available protein sequencer was readily interfaced with the described analytical system and used for adsorptive sequence analysis of a panel of synthetic peptides containing collectively all 20 naturally occurring amino acids. On-line mass analysis of derivatives generated by automated sequencing confirmed that the derivatives were of the predicted mass and were detectable at comparable signal strength and sensitivity. Finally, we demonstrate that the additional selectivity in data interpretation provided by mass analysis dramatically improves the signal-to-noise ratio and therefore enhances the ability to conclusively interpret protein and peptide sequence data.

Design, synthesis, and characterization of a protein sequencing reagent yielding amino acid derivatives with enhanced detectability by mass spectrometry

We report the design, chemical synthesis, and structural and functional characterization of a novel reagent for protein sequence analysis by the Edman degradation, yielding amino acid derivatives rapidly detectable at high sensitivity by ion-evaporation mass spectrometry. We demonstrate that the reagent 3-[4'(ethylene-N,N,N-trimethylamino)phenyl]-2-isothiocyanate is chemically stable and shows coupling and cyclization/cleavage yields comparable to phenylisothiocyanate, the standard reagent in chemical sequence analysis, under conditions typically encountered in manual or automated sequence analysis. Amino acid derivatives generated with this reagent were detectable by ion-evaporation mass spectrometry at the subfemtomole sensitivity level at a pace of one sample per minute. Furthermore, derivatives were identified by their mass, thus permitting the rapid and highly sensitive determination of the molecular nature of modified amino acids. Derivatives of amino acids with acidic, basic, polar, or hydrophobic side chains were reproducibly detectable at comparable sensitivities. The polar nature of the reagent required covalent immobilization of polypeptides prior to automated sequence analysis. This reagent, used in automated sequence analysis, has the potential for overcoming the limitations in sensitivity, speed, and the ability to characterize modified amino acid residues inherent in the chemical sequencing methods that are currently used.

Determination of the site of tyrosine phosphorylation at the low picomole level by automated solid-phase sequence analysis

A method for the determination of the sites of tyrosine phosphorylation in proteins and peptides at the low picomole level for "cold" phosphopeptides and at the subpicomole level for 32P-labeled phosphopeptides is presented. The procedure is based on solid-phase sequence analysis of phosphopeptides immobilized on carrier discs and the "on-line" detection by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of the phenylthiohydantoin derivative of phosphotyrosine. The procedure is sensitive and automated and allows the identification of phosphotyrosine derivatives in the same operation as the detection of the derivatives of the other common amino acids. Essentially quantitative extraction of the phosphotyrosine derivatives from the sequencer makes this method ideally suited for the quantitative assessment of protein-tyrosine kinase and protein phosphatase activities and for the determination of their respective recognition sequences.

Identification of the sites in myelin basic protein that are phosphorylated by meiosis-activated protein kinase p44mpk

Myelin basic protein serves as a convenient substrate for detection of a 44 kDa protein-serine/threonine kinase (p44mpk) that is activated near the time of germinal vesicle breakdown in maturing echinoderm and amphibian oocytes. In vitro phosphorylation by purified p44mpk from sea star oocytes was primarily on threonine residues on a single tryptic peptide of bovine brain myelin basic protein. Amino acid composition analysis of the isolated posphopeptide revealed that it was rich in proline residues. Automated solid-phase sequencing by Edman degradation identified the major site as Thr-97 in the sequence NIVTPRTPPPSQGK, which corresponds to residues 91-104 in bovine brain myelin basic protein. Thr-94 was also phosphorylated by p44mpk to a very minor extent.