The role of mass spectrometry in structure elucidation of dynamic protein complexes.
The fact that ions of macromolecular complexes produced by electrospray ionization can be maintained intact in a mass spectrometer has stimulated exciting new lines of research. In this review we chart the progress of this research from the observation of simple homo-oligomers to complex heterogeneous macromolecular assemblies of mega-Dalton proportions. The applications described herein not only confirm the status of mass spectrometry (MS) as a structural biology approach to complement X-ray analysis or electron microscopy, but also highlight unique attributes of the methodology. This is exemplified in studies of the biogenesis of macromolecular complexes and in the exchange of subunits between macromolecular complexes. Moreover, recent successes in revealing the overall subunit architecture of complexes are set to promote MS from a complementary approach to a structural biology tool in its own right.
Sharon
Michal
M
Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom. ms588@cam.ac.uk
Robinson
Carol V
CV
D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008970:Molecular Weight; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011487:Protein Conformation; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry
D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012996:Solutions