Isotope signatures allow identification of chemically cross-linked peptides by mass spectrometry: a novel method to determine interresidue distances in protein structures through cross-linking

J Proteome Res. 2010 Jul 2;9(7):3583-9. doi: 10.1021/pr1001115.

Abstract

Knowledge of protein structures and protein-protein interactions is essential for understanding of biological processes. Recent advances in protein cross-linking and mass spectrometry (MS) have shown significant potential to contribute to this area. Here we report a novel method to rapidly and accurately identify cross-linked peptides based on their unique isotope signature when digested in the presence of H(2)(18)O. This method overcomes the need for specially synthesized cross-linkers and/or multiple MS runs required by other techniques. We validated our method by performing a "blind" analysis of 5 proteins/complexes of known structure. Side chain repacking calculations using Rosetta show that 17 of our 20 positively identified cross-links fit the published atomic structures. The remaining 3 cross-links are likely due to protein aggregation. The accuracy and rapid throughput of our workflow will advance the use of protein cross-linking in structural biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cattle
  • Chickens
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Lactoglobulins / chemistry
  • Lactoglobulins / metabolism
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Muramidase / chemistry
  • Muramidase / metabolism
  • Oxygen Isotopes / chemistry*
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry*
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Protein Interaction Mapping / methods*
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / chemistry
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Lactoglobulins
  • Oxygen Isotopes
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Proteins
  • Bard1 protein, rat
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic
  • Muramidase