A General Method for Targeted Quantitative Cross-Linking Mass Spectrometry

PLoS One. 2016 Dec 20;11(12):e0167547. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167547. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Chemical cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) provides protein structural information by identifying covalently linked proximal amino acid residues on protein surfaces. The information gained by this technique is complementary to other structural biology methods such as x-ray crystallography, NMR and cryo-electron microscopy[1]. The extension of traditional quantitative proteomics methods with chemical cross-linking can provide information on the structural dynamics of protein structures and protein complexes. The identification and quantitation of cross-linked peptides remains challenging for the general community, requiring specialized expertise ultimately limiting more widespread adoption of the technique. We describe a general method for targeted quantitative mass spectrometric analysis of cross-linked peptide pairs. We report the adaptation of the widely used, open source software package Skyline, for the analysis of quantitative XL-MS data as a means for data analysis and sharing of methods. We demonstrate the utility and robustness of the method with a cross-laboratory study and present data that is supported by and validates previously published data on quantified cross-linked peptide pairs. This advance provides an easy to use resource so that any lab with access to a LC-MS system capable of performing targeted quantitative analysis can quickly and accurately measure dynamic changes in protein structure and protein interactions.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / analysis*
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / chemistry
  • Software*

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine