What Is Biological Mass Spectrometry?
Biological mass spectrometry (bio-MS) refers to mass spectrometry techniques applied in biological research, covering the identification, quantification, and structural analysis of biomolecules such as proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, and metabolites. Bio-MS has extensive applications in biological studies, including:
Proteomics
Mass spectrometry enables proteome analysis, identifying and quantifying proteins in cells or tissues. Common methods include liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and quadrupole or time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Proteomics aids in understanding biological processes, disease mechanisms, and drug target discovery.
Protein Modification Analysis
MS can study post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation, acetylation, and ubiquitination. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of these modifications reveals their roles in signaling pathways and gene regulation.
Protein-Protein Interaction Analysis
MS identifies protein-protein interactions (PPIs), helping to elucidate protein functions in cellular signaling and biological processes. Common approaches include immunoprecipitation-MS (IP-MS) and affinity purification-MS (AP-MS).
Metabolomics
MS analyzes metabolites to reveal their roles in biological processes and disease progression. Techniques include gas chromatography-MS (GC-MS), LC-MS, and time-of-flight MS (TOF-MS).
Nucleic Acid Analysis
MS is used for nucleic acid fragment analysis, including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identification and nucleic acid modification analysis. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight MS (MALDI-TOF-MS) is a common technique in this field.
Lipidomics
MS identifies and quantifies lipid molecules, aiding research on lipid function in biological processes and disease development. Methods include LC-MS and TOF-MS.
Site-Specific Mutation Analysis
MS detects point mutations in proteins by integrating isotope labeling and enzymatic digestion, helping to identify mutation sites and their functional impact.
Peptide and Glycopeptide Analysis
MS determines peptide and glycopeptide structures and quantifies them. Processing MS data provides peptide sequences, glycosylation sites, and glycan structures.
Protein Structure Analysis
MS, combined with techniques like hydrogen/deuterium exchange and limited proteolysis, examines protein structure and conformational changes, aiding in functional and stability studies.
Biopharmaceutical Analysis
MS is widely used in biopharmaceutical analysis, including monoclonal antibodies and gene therapy products. It enables qualitative and quantitative assessment of purity, activity, and safety.
Biological mass spectrometry plays a crucial role in biological research, providing valuable insights into biological processes, disease mechanisms, and drug development. As MS technology continues to evolve, its accuracy and applications will expand further.
MtoZ Biolabs, an integrated chromatography and mass spectrometry (MS) services provider.
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