title: Digestion of native proteins for proteomics using a thermocycler.
abstract: Efficient protein digestion is a critical step for successful mass spectrometry analysis. Here we describe simultaneous tryptic digestion and gradual unfolding of native proteins by application of a temperature gradient using a single cycle of 5 min or less in a PCR thermocycler. Chemicals typically used for chromatographic techniques did not affect the digestion efficiency. Tryptic digestion was performed in a small volume (3 microL) with 1.5 microg of trypsin without denaturing agents. This rapid procedure yielded more peptides than conventional methods utilizing chemical denaturation for 18 proteins out of 20. Samples were directly spotted on the MALDI-TOF target plate, without additional purification, thus reducing losses on reversed-phase resins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Texas Health Science Center, Tyler, Texas 75708, USA. ot16@leicester.ac.uk
authors.forename: Obolbek A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Turapov
authors.forename: Galina V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Mukamolova
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bottrill
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Pangburn
mesh_terms: D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000295:instrumentation; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature; D014357:Trypsin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D014357:Trypsin