Peptide Sequencing Service

Thousands of naturally identified peptides have been recognized, playing important roles in human physiological processes, including as hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors, ion channel ligands, or anti-infectives. Peptide drugs are considered to have high selectivity and efficacy, as well as relative safety and good tolerance. Therefore, interest in peptide drugs in drug research and development (R&D) is increasing, with hundreds of peptide drugs undergoing clinical trial evaluation.

 

Peptides and proteins are both composed of amino acids, the basic building blocks of the human body, and are linked together by peptide bonds. The difference between them is that peptides are composed of smaller chains of amino acids compared to proteins. Peptides contain two or more amino acids and can be subdivided into oligopeptides and polypeptides. Oligopeptides contain a small number of amino acids (about 2-20 amino acids), while polypeptides contain more amino acids. However, this definition and the way scientists use each term are sometimes not very rigorous. Proteins are formed by the connection of one or more peptides. Therefore, proteins are essentially very large peptides. Generally, we distinguish between peptides and proteins based on the number of amino acids. Peptides are composed of 2 to 50 amino acids, while proteins are composed of 50 or more amino acids. Peptide drug research has great potential, such as the discovery of new peptides, more targeted peptide libraries and sequence optimization design, new formulation development, multifunctional peptides, and complex development, etc. To achieve these, the identification and sequencing of peptides are the first steps to promote research.

 

Services at Mtoz Biolabs

There are two common methods for peptide sequencing: database search and de novo sequencing. For relatively short peptide segments, such as those less than 30 amino acids, MtoZ Biolabs directly performs secondary fragmentation to obtain mass spectrometry raw data for peptide sequence inference. Through database search or de novo sequencing, the theoretical sequence can be obtained. For longer peptide segments ( > 30 amino acids), MtoZ Biolabs uses three proteases to separately enzymatically digest and identify the target peptide segments. While obtaining fragmented peptide segments, the complete peptide sequence is determined by splicing between peptide segments, which is achieved by de novo sequencing. The above methods can also be used for sequence analysis of some peptide mixtures.

 

MtoZ Biolabs uses Thermo's latest Obitrap Fusion Lumos mass spectrometer combined with Nano-LC technology to provide mass spectrometry-based peptide sequence analysis services and peptide de novo sequencing services. The Obitrap Fusion Lumos mass spectrometer is the highest resolution and sensitivity mass spectrometer available, ensuring the sensitivity of low-abundance peptide fragment identification. During peptide fragmentation, the HCD and ETD combination mode ensures the integrity of peptide fragment fragmentation. After obtaining the mass spectrometry raw data, for peptide segments less than 30 amino acids, we use database or de novo sequencing methods to parse the raw data. For peptide segments longer than 30 amino acids, de novo sequencing is generally used to deduce the peptide sequence.

 

Sample Submission Requirements

1. Prepare as Much as Possible 100 μg of sample

For samples < 30 aa, prepare at least 10-25 μg of sample; for samples > 30 aa, prepare at least > 50 μg of purified sample.

2. Use the Purest Reagents as Possible, Not Molecular Bbiology Grade Reagents

3. Use the Smallest Centrifuge Tubes as Possible

4. Avoid Contaminants or Concentrate the Protein in Solution

 

**Consult with MtoZ Biolabs technicians for targeted sample preparation.

 

MtoZ Biolabs can perform peptide sequence analysis on samples in both liquid and solid states. Solid samples can be transported with ice packs; liquid samples can be vacuum-dried or freeze-dried and transported with ice packs or transported with dry ice. Welcome to call for consultation.