Preliminary mechanistic information on disulfide-bond formation and the role of hydrogen bonds by nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry

J Mass Spectrom. 2008 May;43(5):664-73. doi: 10.1002/jms.1366.

Abstract

The formation of disulfide-bonds is vital for the proper folding of most secreted proteins and the stabilization of the final protein structure, including many of medical importance. The determination of disulfide-bonds is an important aspect of gaining a comprehensive understanding of the chemical structure of a protein. A long-term goal of ours is to examine the mechanism of disulfide-bond formation in aqueous solution and the potential role hydrogen bonds play in this process. Here, we report preliminary results from a method that utilizes the oxidizing power of iodine to generate disulfide bonds from synthesized model compounds, which is followed by nanoelectrospray ionization (nanoESI)- mass spectrometry (MS). By continuously monitoring the reaction mixture during disulfide formation, this nanoESI approach provides insight on the sequence of intermediate species formed, and how hydrogen-bonding donor/acceptor pairs may promote disulfide bond formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Disulfides / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Bonding*
  • Microchemistry / methods*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods*

Substances

  • Disulfides