title: Measurements of protein stability by H/D exchange and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using picomoles of material.
abstract: Recently, we reported on a new H/D exchange- and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-based technique, termed SUPREX, that can be used to measure the thermodynamic stability of a protein (Ghaemmaghami, S.; Fitzgerald, M. C.; Oas, T. G. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2000, 97, 8296-8301). In the work described here, we report on our efforts to optimize the sensitivity of SUPREX analyses. We describe a new sample handling protocol for SUPREX that involves the use of batch chromatography methods with reversed-phase chromatographic media for the microconcentration and desalting of SUPREX samples. Using ribonuclease A as a model protein system, we demonstrate that our new protocol permits the SUPREX analysis of as little as 10 pmol of protein. This amount of protein is 100-fold less than the amount of material required in our initial SUPREX protocol, and it is 1-2 orders of magnitude less than the amount of material required in conventional spectroscopy-based methods for measuring the thermodynamic stability of a protein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
mesh_terms: D003903:Deuterium / Q000737:chemistry*; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D008832:Microchemistry / Q000379:methods; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / Q000737:chemistry; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D006859:Hydrogen; D003903:Deuterium; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic