In native mass spectrometry, non-covalent interactions are preserved in solution and through transfer to the gas phase. This technique can be used to characterize the composition, stoichiometry, and architecture of protein nano-assemblies, such as those observed in vivo or constructed through protein engineering in nanotechnology and synthetic biology. Here we describe an implementation of native mass spectrometry for studying protein-based nanostructures, including membrane proteins. Unambiguous structural details of assemblies can be rapidly determined due to the high resolution and mass accuracy afforded by mass spectrometry measurements including protein nano-assembly stoichiometry, heterogeneity, and ligand binding characteristics.
Keywords: Membrane proteins; Native mass spectrometry; Protein nanotechnology; Proteins.