title: The impact of mass spectrometry on the study of intact antibodies: from post-translational modifications to structural analysis.
abstract: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are important therapeutics, targeting a variety of diseases ranging from cancers to neurodegenerative disorders. In developmental stages and prior to clinical use, these molecules require thorough structural characterisation, but their large size and heterogeneity present challenges for most analytical techniques. Over the past 20 years, mass spectrometry (MS) has transformed from a tool for small molecule analysis to a technique that can be used to study large intact proteins and non-covalent protein complexes. Here, we review several MS-based techniques that have emerged for the analysis of intact mAbs and discuss the prospects of using these technologies for the analysis of biopharmaceuticals.
authors.affiliation: Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Natalie J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosati
authors.forename: Rebecca J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Albert J R
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Heck
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000737:chemistry; D041961:Deuterium Exchange Measurement; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011994:Recombinant Proteins