Mass Spectrometry of Peptides and Its Applications in Biochemistry and Proteomics

Peptide Mass Spectrometry Analysis

1. Electrospray Ionization (ESI) and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI)

These are two commonly used ionization techniques that can convert proteins or peptides into gas-phase ions for analysis in a mass spectrometer.

 

2. Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS)

By inducing dissociation of a specific precursor ion via collision, the mass spectrometry information of the fragments of peptides or proteins is obtained, thereby helping to determine the amino acid sequence of the original peptide.

 

Applications

1. Protein Identification

Experimental data can be matched with a protein database to identify specific proteins in the sample.

 

2. Study of Protein Post-Translational Modifications

Mass spectrometry can be used to identify and quantify post-translational modifications of proteins such as phosphorylation, acetylation, and glycosylation.

 

3. Proteomics

By analyzing total proteins in cells or tissues, the expression, interaction, and function of proteins can be revealed.

 

4. Study of Protein Interactions

Immune precipitation combined with mass spectrometry can identify interaction partners of a specific protein.

 

5. Quantitative Proteomics

The use of labels such as Stable Isotope Labeling by Amino acids in Cell culture (SILAC) or Isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ) can achieve relative or absolute quantification of proteins.

 

6. Discovery of Novel Proteins and Biomarkers

Mass spectrometry can help discover proteins that have not yet been described or proteins that serve as disease biomarkers.

 

7. Protein Structure Studies

Mass spectrometry can also provide information about the three-dimensional structure and dynamic changes of proteins, especially when combined with other techniques such as hydrogen/deuterium exchange.

 

Peptide mass spectrometry analysis is a very complex and powerful technique that plays a key role in biomedical research, drug development and many other fields.