A High-Sensitivity Low-Nanoflow LC-MS Configuration for High-Throughput Sample-Limited Proteomics

Anal Chem. 2023 Dec 26;95(51):18673-18678. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03058. Epub 2023 Dec 13.

Abstract

This work demonstrates the utility of high-throughput nanoLC-MS and label-free quantification (LFQ) for sample-limited bottom-up proteomics analysis, including single-cell proteomics (SCP). Conditions were optimized on a 50 μm internal diameter (I.D.) column operated at 100 nL/min in the direct injection workflow to balance method sensitivity and sample throughput from 24 to 72 samples/day. Multiple data acquisition strategies were also evaluated for proteome coverage, including data-dependent acquisition (DDA), wide-window acquisition (WWA), and wide-window data-independent acquisition (WW-DIA). Analyzing 250 pg HeLa digest with a 10-min LC gradient (72 samples/day) provided >900, >1,800, and >3,000 protein group identifications for DDA, WWA, and WW-DIA, respectively. Total method cycle time was further reduced from 20 to 14.4 min (100 samples/day) by employing a trap-and-elute workflow, enabling 70% mass spectrometer utilization. The method was applied to library-free DIA analysis of single-cell samples, yielding >1,700 protein groups identified. In conclusion, this study provides a high-sensitivity, high-throughput nanoLC-MS configuration for sample-limited proteomics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Humans
  • Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry*
  • Proteome / analysis
  • Proteomics* / methods
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods

Substances

  • Proteome