title: Analytical approaches for size and mass analysis of large protein assemblies.
abstract: Analysis of the size and mass of nanoparticles, whether they are natural biomacromolecular or synthetic supramolecular assemblies, is an important step in the characterization of such molecular species. In recent years, electrospray ionization (ESI) has emerged as a technology through which particles with masses up to 100 MDa can be ionized and transferred into the gas phase, preparing them for accurate mass analysis. Here we review currently used methodologies, with a clear focus on native mass spectrometry (MS). Additional complementary methodologies are also covered, including ion-mobility analysis, nanomechanical mass sensors, and charge-detection MS. The literature discussed clearly demonstrates the great potential of ESI-based methodologies for the size and mass analysis of nanoparticles, including very large naturally occurring protein assemblies. The analytical approaches discussed are powerful tools in not only structural biology, but also nanotechnology.
authors.affiliation: Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands; email: j.snijder@uu.nl , a.j.r.heck@uu.nl.
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Snijder
authors.forename: Albert J R
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Heck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins
keywords: Orbitrap; Time-of-Flight; electrospray ionization; native mass spectrometry; protein complex