Identification of hemoglobin variants by top-down mass spectrometry using selected diagnostic product ions

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2015 Apr;407(10):2837-45. doi: 10.1007/s00216-015-8525-5. Epub 2015 Mar 10.

Abstract

Hemoglobin disorder diagnosis is a complex procedure combining several analytical steps. Due to the lack of specificity of the currently used protein analysis methods, the identification of uncommon hemoglobin variants (proteoforms) can become a hard task to accomplish. The aim of this work was to develop a mass spectrometry-based approach to quickly identify mutated protein sequences within globin chain variants. To reach this goal, a top-down electron transfer dissociation mass spectrometry method was developed for hemoglobin β chain analysis. A diagnostic product ion list was established with a color code strategy allowing to quickly and specifically localize a mutation in the hemoglobin β chain sequence. The method was applied to the analysis of rare hemoglobin β chain variants and an (A)γ-β fusion protein. The results showed that the developed data analysis process allows fast and reliable interpretation of top-down electron transfer dissociation mass spectra by nonexpert users in the clinical area.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Fetal Hemoglobin / analysis
  • Fetal Hemoglobin / genetics
  • Gene Fusion
  • Genetic Variation
  • Hemoglobins / analysis*
  • Hemoglobins / genetics
  • Hemoglobins, Abnormal / analysis
  • Hemoglobins, Abnormal / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Workflow
  • beta-Globins / analysis
  • beta-Globins / genetics

Substances

  • Hemoglobins
  • Hemoglobins, Abnormal
  • beta-Globins
  • hemoglobin Kenya
  • Fetal Hemoglobin