The characterization of snake venoms using capillary electrophoresis in conjunction with electrospray mass spectrometry: Black Mambas.
Capillary electrophoresis has been used in conjunction with electrospray mass spectrometry using both full-scan and selected ion monitoring modes to supply as much information as possible about the venom of Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis (Black Mamba). As an example of the application of capillary electrophoresis/electrospray mass spectrometry (CE/ESI/MS) to the analysis of a complex mixture of small proteins, we have analyzed the venom of Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis using the combined techniques. Both full-scan and selected ion monitoring modes were employed. CE/ESI/MS provides a rapid and extremely sensitive method for molecular weight determination, particularly when selected ion monitoring is employed. It has been utilized to provide sequence confirmation for those toxins which have already been described in the literature. Our methodology indicates the presence of at least 70 peptides in the molecular weight range 6000-9000.
Perkins
J R
JR
Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Parker
C E
CE
Tomer
K B
KB
D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000032:analysis*; D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
D004546:Elapid Venoms