Sizing up large protein complexes by electrospray ionisation-based electrophoretic mobility and native mass spectrometry: morphology selective binding of Fabs to hepatitis B virus capsids

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2014 Feb;406(5):1437-46. doi: 10.1007/s00216-013-7548-z. Epub 2013 Dec 20.

Abstract

The capsid of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major viral antigen and important diagnostic indicator. HBV capsids have prominent protrusions ('spikes') on their surface and are unique in having either T = 3 or T = 4 icosahedral symmetry. Mouse monoclonal and also human polyclonal antibodies bind either near the spike apices (historically the 'α-determinant') or in the 'floor' regions between them (the 'β-determinant'). Native mass spectrometry (MS) and gas-phase electrophoretic mobility molecular analysis (GEMMA) were used to monitor the titration of HBV capsids with the antigen-binding domain (Fab) of mAb 3120, which has long defined the β-determinant. Both methods readily distinguished Fab binding to the two capsid morphologies and could provide accurate masses and dimensions for these large immune complexes, which range up to ~8 MDa. As such, native MS and GEMMA provide valuable alternatives to a more time-consuming cryo-electron microscopy analysis for preliminary characterisation of virus-antibody complexes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / chemistry*
  • Antigens, Viral / chemistry*
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Binding Sites
  • Capsid / chemistry*
  • Capsid / immunology
  • Hepatitis B virus / chemistry*
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / chemistry*
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods

Substances

  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments