Mass spectrometry-based footprinting of protein-protein interactions

Methods. 2009 Apr;47(4):304-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2008.10.023. Epub 2008 Nov 17.

Abstract

We present a high-resolution mass spectrometric (MS) footprinting method enabling identification of contact amino acids in protein-protein complexes. The method is based on comparing surface topologies of a free protein versus its complex with the binding partner using differential accessibility of small chemical group selective modifying reagents. Subsequent MS analysis reveals the individual amino acids selectively shielded from modification in the protein-protein complex. The current report focuses on probing interactions between full-length HIV-1 integrase and its principal cellular partner lens epithelium-derived growth factor. This method has a generic application and is particularly attractive for studying large protein-protein interactions that are less amenable for crystallographic or NMR analysis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • DNA Footprinting / methods*
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs / physiology*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary / physiology
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods*