Mass spectrometry is a generic technique for the structural and functional analysis of purified proteins. Instrument capabilities and the possibilities of intact protein, peptide fragmentation and native analyses are discussed. Detailed experimental protocols are described for the most commonly applied techniques of protein identification, posttranslational modification (PTM) characterization, PTM mapping, native mass spectrometry, and analysis of membrane proteins using electrospray mass spectrometry.
Keywords: Electrospray; Glycan; HPLC; High pressure liquid chromatography; IMPs; Integral membrane proteins; LC-MS; LC-MSMS; Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry; Mass spectrometry; Native mass spectrometry; PTM; Phosphorylation; Posttranslational modification; Protein; SDS-PAGE; SEC; Size exclusion chromatography; Tandem mass spectrometry.