Implementation of Intact Protein MS on Commercial SLIM Instrumentation
using nano-, micro-, and high- flow ionization sources and applications
to disease associated proteoforms and intact antibodies
Abstract
This study addresses three unmet needs: 1) development of widely
accessible native mass spectrometry (MS) methods and 2) native top-down
mass spectrometry (TDMS) methods for high flow sources on an Agilent
Q-TOF mass spectrometer, and 3) confirming suitability of structures for
lossless ion manipulation (SLIM) ion mobility (IM) MS methods for
analysis of native intact proteins. To decrease the cost and training
barrier to performing MS, TDMS, and IM-MS analysis of native proteins,
we have developed methods for nanospray, microspray, and heated high
flow electrospray ionization sources. SLIM offers the highest full-scan
IM resolution available, but commercial instrumentation has not
previously been applied to native MS. Our optimized methods extend the
upper m/z limit beyond the manufacturer’s default IM mode upper
mass limit of 4000 m/z to 7000 m/z, which allows for intact protein and
native MS analysis of a variety of proteins, including native MS of
intact IgG antibodies. Using the robust and facile Agilent Jet Spray
(AJS) source, we demonstrate the application of native protein MS to
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-associated Cu/Zn-superoxide
dismutase proteoforms, characterizing a novel conformer and quaternary
structural changes.