基于质谱和生物信息学分析的小菜蛾蛋白质鉴定

本研究以非模式昆虫小菜蛾Plutella xylostella为材料, 对比2, 3, 4龄幼虫的蛋白质组双向电泳图谱, 得到24个蛋白质差异点, 从中选取了编号为1111的差异表达蛋白质点进行质谱鉴定和生物信息学分析. 采用胶内酶解的多肽进行MALDI-TOF/TOF分析, 获得该点的肽质量指纹图谱（PMF）及串联质谱（MS/MS）图谱。将获得的PMF分别用MASCOT和ProFound等常用软件在NCBInr的Metazoa蛋白质数据库进行搜索, 匹配结果不理想. 进一步用PMF+MS/MS谱图搜索NCBInr的Metazoa蛋白质数据库, 以及小菜蛾EST数据库。 在NCBInr库中匹配结果为拟暗果蝇Drosophila pseudoobscura中的一种假定蛋白GA18218-PA, 而用EST库搜索的结果为家蚕Bombyx mori的ATP合酶的亚基。为验证搜索结果, 将该蛋白质点进行磺基异硫氰酸苯酯（SPITC）化学衍生后de novo测序, 最后确认该点可能为ATP合酶的一个亚基。最后着重讨论了蛋白质的质谱鉴定与生物信息学分析的联合使用, 希望据此选择出最适合于非模式昆虫蛋白质组学鉴定的方法。     

串联质谱数据的从头解析与蛋白质的数据库搜索鉴定

蛋白质的鉴定是蛋白质组学研究中必不可少的一步。用串联质谱 (tandemmassspectrometry ,MS/MS)可以进行多肽的从头测序 (denovosequencing) ,并搜索数据库以鉴定蛋白质。用图论以及真实谱 理论谱联配 (alignment)的方法对串联质谱得到的多肽图谱进行从头解析 ,得到了可靠的多肽序列 ,并应用到数据库搜索中鉴定了相应的蛋白质。同时 ,还用统计的方法对SwissProt以及TrEMBL蛋白质数据库进行了详细的分析。结果表明 ,3个四肽或者 2个五肽或者 1个八肽一般可以唯一地确定一个蛋白质     

利用EST序列构建Mascot本地数据库

对蛋白质质谱数据进行数据库比对和鉴定是蛋白质组学研究技术中的一个重要步骤。由于公共数据库蛋白质数据信息不全,有些蛋白质质谱数据无法得到有效的鉴定。而利用相关物种的EST序列构建专门的质谱数据库则可以增加鉴定未知蛋白的几率。本文介绍了利用EST序列构建Mascot本地数据库的具体方法和步骤,扩展了Mascot检索引擎对蛋白质质谱数据的鉴定范围,从数据库层面提高了对未知蛋白的鉴别几率,为蛋白质组学研究提供了一种较为实用的生物信息学分析技术。     

蛋白质组学中新蛋白质鉴定的研究方法和策略

当前,基于生物质谱进行蛋白质鉴定的技术已经成为蛋白质组学研究的支撑技术之一.产生的数据主要使用数据库搜索的方法进行处理,这种方法的一大缺陷是不能鉴定数据库中未包含的蛋白质,因此如何充分利用质谱数据对蛋白质组研究的意义很大,而新蛋白质鉴定更是其中一个重要的内容.新蛋白质鉴定是蛋白质鉴定的一个方面,新蛋白质的定义按照序列和功能的已知程度分为3个层次;以蛋白质鉴定的方法为基础,目前新蛋白质鉴定的方法可分为denovo测序和相似序列搜索结合的方法以及搜索EST、基因组等核酸数据库的方法2大类;两者各有利弊.存在各自的问题和相应处理的策略.不同的研究者可以根据具体目的应用和发展不同的鉴定方法,同时新蛋白质的鉴定也将随着蛋白质组学研究的发展而更加完善.     

串联质谱图谱从头测序算法研究进展

近年来,基于质谱技术的高通量蛋白质组学研究发展迅速,利用串联质谱图谱鉴定蛋白质是其数据处理中一个基础而又重要的环节．由于不需要利用蛋白质序列数据库,从头测序方法能够分析新物种或者基因组未测序物种的串联质谱数据,具有数据库搜索方法不可替代的优势．简要介绍高通量串联质谱图谱从头测序问题及其研究现状．归纳出几种典型的计算策略并分析了各种策略的优缺点．总结常用的从头测序算法和软件,介绍算法评估的各种指标和常用评估数据集,概括各种算法的特点,展望未来研究可能的发展方向．     

人类蛋白质组表达谱蛋白质鉴定的分步搜索策略

大规模蛋白质组表达谱研究的蛋白质鉴定一般采取基于数据库搜索的策略,因此数据库的选择及搜索策略在蛋白质鉴定中非常重要。现有的人类蛋白质数据库远不够完善,而从其他物种的蛋白质数据库中所能得到的补充非常有限,但人类基因组数据库中却可能含有很大的补充空间。在对国际人类蛋白质数据库充分调研、比较的基础上,提出了一种分步搜索的策略。这种策略首先利用一个质量较高、覆盖率相对较大的非冗余数据库进行基本鉴定,随后利用其他蛋白和核酸数据库进行补充鉴定和新蛋白挖掘。该策略能有效地鉴定尽可能多的高可靠蛋白,并能进一步充分利用质谱数据进行补充鉴定和新蛋白挖掘,对大规模蛋白质组表达谱研究具有重要的意义。     

MALDI-TOF质谱源后衰变技术鉴定2D胶蛋白点

PMF方法由于具有高灵敏度、高通量和容易自动化等优点,在蛋白质组学鉴定中占有重要的地位。然而,许多样品(比如：小分子蛋白,混合物等)仅仅通过PMF方法不能明确鉴定。在这种情况下,在测定PMF的同一个样品上,选择一个酶解片段峰进行PSD测序,并把这些序列信息输入MS—Tag软件进行搜索,结合PMF方法,表观分子量等电点等参数,能够对胶上的点进行明确的鉴定。本文先用PSD方法对胶上的三个标准蛋白进行鉴定,都得到了非常准确的结果,同时鉴定了胶上的几个未知点。     

串联质谱数据从头解析与蛋白质的数据库搜索鉴定

蛋白质的鉴定是蛋白质组学研究中必不可少的一步。用串联质谱（ｔａｎｄｅｍ ｍａｓｓ ｓｐｅｃｔｒｏｍｅｔｒｙ,ＭＳ／ＭＳ）可以进行多肽的从头测序（ｄｅ ｎｏｖｏ ｓｅｑｕｅｎｃｉｎｇ）,并搜索数据库以鉴定蛋白质。用图论以及真实谱－理论谱联配（ａｌｉｎｇｍｅｎｔ）的方法对串联质谱得到的多肽图谱进行从头解析,得到了可靠的多肽序列,并应用到数据库搜索中鉴定了相应的蛋白质。同时,还用统计的方法对ＳｗｉｓｓＰ     

原核生物蛋白质基因组学研究进展

随着基因组测序技术的不断发展,大量微生物基因组序列可以在短时间内得以准确鉴定。为了进一步探究基因组的结构与功能,基于序列特征与同源特征的基因组注释算法广泛应用于新测序物种。然而受基因组测序质量以及算法本身准确性偏低等问题的影响,现有的基因组注释存在着相当比例的假基因以及注释错误,尤其是蛋白质N端的注释错误。为了弥补基因组注释的不足,以基因芯片或RNA-seq为核心的转录组测序技术和以串联质谱为核心的蛋白质组测序技术可以高通量地对基因的转录和翻译产物进行精确测定,进而实现预测基因结构的实验验证。然而,原核生物细胞中存在的大量非编码RNA给转录组测序技术引入了污染数据,限制了其对基因组注释的应用。相对而言,以串联质谱技术为核心的蛋白质组学测序可以在短时间内鉴定到生物体内大量的蛋白质,实现注释基因的验证甚至校准。已成为基因组注释和重注释的重要依据,并因而衍生了"蛋白质基因组学"的新研究方向。文中首先介绍传统的基于序列预测和同源比对的基因组注释算法,指出其中存在的不足。在此基础上,结合转录组学与蛋白质组学的技术特点,分析蛋白质组学对于原核生物基因组注释的优势,总结现阶段大规模蛋白质基因组学研究的进展情况。最后从信息学角度指出当前蛋白质组数据进行基因组重注释存在的问题与相应的解决方案,进而探讨未来蛋白质基因组学的发展方向。     

大鼠背根神经节细胞质膜的双水相法纯化及其蛋白质组学研究

大鼠背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion, DRG)细胞是一种初级感觉神经元,能传导触觉、痛觉、温觉等神经冲动．为了对少量的DRG组织细胞进行质膜蛋白质组学分析,综合利用差速离心与双水相相结合的方法富集DRG质膜．然后通过SDS-PAGE、CapLC-MS/MS和生物信息学方法对其中的蛋白质进行鉴定和分析．Western blotting图谱扫描后经过Quantity One软件分析,双水相纯化后的质膜与差速离心后得到的粗质膜相比相对浓度增加了2.3倍,与匀浆液相比增加了15倍． 经过大鼠IPI数据库以及相关文献检索, 有729个蛋白质得到鉴定, 其中547个蛋白质具有GO (gene ontology)注释信息,有159 (21.8 %)个蛋白质定位在质膜上．通过对大鼠DRG质膜的蛋白质组学研究,得到了大鼠DRG的质膜蛋白质的分析数据,且提供了一种适用于少量样品的蛋白质组学的分析路线．     

Proteomic profiling and protein identification by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in unsequenced parasitic nematodes

Lack of genomic sequence data and the relatively high cost of tandem mass spectrometry have hampered proteomic investigations into helminths, such as resolving the mechanism underpinning globally reported anthelmintic resistance. Whilst detailed mechanisms of resistance remain unknown for the majority of drug-parasite interactions, gene mutations and changes in gene and protein expression are proposed key aspects of resistance. Comparative proteomic analysis of drug-resistant and -susceptible nematodes may reveal protein profiles reflecting drug-related phenotypes. Using the gastro-intestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus as case study, we report the application of freely available expressed sequence tag (EST) datasets to support proteomic studies in unsequenced nematodes. EST datasets were translated to theoretical protein sequences to generate a searchable database. In conjunction with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), Peptide Mass Fingerprint (PMF) searching of databases enabled a cost-effective protein identification strategy. The effectiveness of this approach was verified in comparison with MS/MS de novo sequencing with searching of the same EST protein database and subsequent searches of the NCBInr protein database using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) to provide protein annotation. Of 100 proteins from 2-DE gel spots, 62 were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS and PMF searching of the EST database. Twenty randomly selected spots were analysed by electrospray MS/MS and MASCOT Ion Searches of the same database. The resulting sequences were subjected to BLAST searches of the NCBI protein database to provide annotation of the proteins and confirm concordance in protein identity from both approaches. Further confirmation of protein identifications from the MS/MS data were obtained by de novo sequencing of peptides, followed by FASTS algorithm searches of the EST putative protein database. This study demonstrates the cost-effective use of available EST databases and inexpensive, accessible MALDI-TOF MS in conjunction with PMF for reliable protein identification in unsequenced organisms.     

Sequence similarity-driven proteomics in organisms with unknown genomes by LC-MS/MS and automated de novo sequencing

LC-MS/MS analysis on a linear ion trap LTQ mass spectrometer, combined with data processing, stringent, and sequence-similarity database searching tools, was employed in a layered manner to identify proteins in organisms with unsequenced genomes. Highly specific stringent searches (MASCOT) were applied as a first layer screen to identify either known (i.e. present in a database) proteins, or unknown proteins sharing identical peptides with related database sequences. Once the confidently matched spectra were removed, the remainder was filtered against a nonannotated library of background spectra that cleaned up the dataset from spectra of common protein and chemical contaminants. The rectified spectral dataset was further subjected to rapid batch de novo interpretation by PepNovo software, followed by the MS BLAST sequence-similarity search that used multiple redundant and partially accurate candidate peptide sequences. Importantly, a single dataset was acquired at the uncompromised sensitivity with no need of manual selection of MS/MS spectra for subsequent de novo interpretation. This approach enabled a completely automated identification of novel proteins that were, otherwise, missed by conventional database searches.     

Metaproteomic analysis of a bacterial community response to cadmium exposure

Microbial communities are of great environmental, medical, and industrial significance. To date, biomolecular methods to study communities have focused on identifying species, with limited capabilities to reveal functions. Proteomics has the potential to yield functional information about these communities, but the application of proteomic methods to complex mixtures of unsequenced organisms is in its infancy. In this study, 2DE, MALDI-TOF/TOF MS, and de novo peptide sequencing were used for the separation and identification of proteins differentially expressed over time following exposure of a bacterial community to an inhibitory level of cadmium. Significant community proteome responses after 0.25, 1, 2, and 3 h of exposure to cadmium were observed, with more than 100 protein expression changes detected at each time point. Several temporal responses were observed, and the most common expression pattern was immediate up- or down-regulation within 15 min of shock followed by maintenance of that level. More than 100 unique differentially expressed proteins were identified through database searching and de novo sequencing. Proteins of importance in the cadmium shock included ATPases, oxidoreductases, and transport proteins. The ability of proteomics to detect the differential regulation of these proteins even during short cadmium exposures shows that it is a powerful tool in explaining cellular mechanisms for a mixed culture. This is the first report of the large-scale identification of proteins involved in the dynamic response of a community of unsequenced bacteria using de novo sequencing.     

The power and the limitations of cross-species protein identification by mass spectrometry-driven sequence similarity searches

Mass spectrometry-driven BLAST (MS BLAST) is a database search protocol for identifying unknown proteins by sequence similarity to homologous proteins available in a database. MS BLAST utilizes redundant, degenerate, and partially inaccurate peptide sequence data obtained by de novo interpretation of tandem mass spectra and has become a powerful tool in functional proteomic research. Using computational modeling, we evaluated the potential of MS BLAST for proteome-wide identification of unknown proteins. We determined how the success rate of protein identification depends on the full-length sequence identity between the queried protein and its closest homologue in a database. We also estimated phylogenetic distances between organisms under study and related reference organisms with completely sequenced genomes that allow substantial coverage of unknown proteomes.     

Proteome characterization of the unsequenced psychrophile Pedobacter cryoconitis using 15N metabolic labeling, tandem mass spectrometry, and a new bioinformatic workflow

Organisms without a sequenced genome and lacking a complete protein database encounter an added level of complexity to protein identification and quantitation. De novo sequencing, new bioinformatics tools, and mass spectrometry (MS) techniques allow for advances in this area. Here, the proteomic characterization of an unsequenced psychrophilic bacterium, Pedobacter cryoconitis, is presented employing a novel workflow based on (15) N metabolic labelling, 2DE, MS/MS, and bioinformatics tools. Two bioinformatics pipelines, based on nitrogen constraint (N-constraint), ortholog searching, and de novo peptide sequencing with N-constraint similarity database search, are compared based on proteome coverage and throughput. Results demonstrate the effect of different growth temperatures (1°C, 20°C) and different carbon sources (glucose, maltose) on the proteome. Seventy-six and 69 proteins were identified and validated from the glucose- and maltose-grown bacterium, respectively, from which 21 and 22 were differentially expressed at different growth temperatures. Differentially expressed proteins are involved in stress response and carbohydrate metabolism, with higher expression at 20°C than at 1°C, while antioxidants were upregulated at 1°C. This study provides an alternative workflow to identify, validate, and quantify proteins from unsequenced organisms distantly related to other species in the protein database. Furthermore, it provides further understanding on bacterial adaptation mechanisms to cold environments, and a comparative proteomic analyses with other psychrophilic microorganisms.     

Differentially isotope-coded N-terminal protein sulphonation: combining protein identification and quantification

Most proteomic labelling technologies intend to improve protein quantification and/or facilitate (de novo) peptide sequencing. We present here a novel stable-isotope labelling method to simultaneously identify and quantify protein components in complex mixtures by specifically derivatizing the N-terminus of proteins with 4-sulphophenyl isothiocyanate (SPITC). Our approach combines protein identification with quantification through differential isotope-coded labelling at the protein N-terminus prior to digestion. The isotope spacing of 6 Da (unlabelled vs. six-fold 13C-labelled tag) between derivatized peptide pairs enables the detection on different MS platforms (MALDI and ESI). Optimisation of the reaction conditions using SPITC was performed on three model proteins. Improved detection of the N-terminally derivatized peptide compared to the native analogue was observed in negative-ion MALDI-MS. Simpler fragmentation patterns compared to native peptides facilitated protein identification. The 13C-labelled SPITC resulted in convenient peptide pair spacing without isotopic overlap and hence facilitated relative quantification by MALDI-TOF/TOF and LC-ESI-MS/MS. The combination of facilitated identification and quantification achieved by differentially isotope-coded N-terminal protein tagging with light/heavy SPITC represents, to our knowledge, a new approach to quantitative proteomics.     

Development of a host blood meal database: de novo sequencing of hemoglobin from nine small mammals using mass spectrometry

We report the successful de novo sequencing of hemoglobin using a mass spectrometry-based approach combined with automatic data processing and manual validation for nine North American species with currently unsequenced genomes. The complete α and β chain of all nine mammalian hemoglobin samples used in this study were successfully sequenced. These sequences will be appended to the existing database containing all known hemoglobins to be used for identification of the mammalian host species that provided the last blood meal for the tick vector of Lyme disease, Ixodes scapularis.     

Evaluation of Chemical Derivatisation Methods for Protein Identification using MALDI MS/MS

In proteomic studies, assigning protein identity from organisms whose genomes are yet to be completely sequenced remains a challenging task. For these organisms, protein identification is typically based on cross species matching of amino acid sequence obtained from collision induced dissociation (CID) of peptides using mass spectrometry. The most direct approach of de novo sequencing is slow and often difficult, due to the complexity of the resultant CID spectra. For MALDI-MS, this problem has been addressed by using chemical derivatisation to direct peptide fragmentation, thereby simplifying CID spectra and facilitating de novo interpretation. In this study, milk whey proteins from the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) were used to evaluate three chemical derivatisation methods compatible with MALDI MS/MS. These methods included (i) guanidination and sulfonation using chemically-assisted fragmentation (CAF), (ii) guanidination and sulfonation using 4-sulfophenyl isothiocyanate (SPITC) and (iii) derivatising the epsilon-amino group of lysine residues with Lys Tag 4H. Derivatisation with CAF and SPITC resulted in more protein identification than Lys Tag 4H. Sulfonation using SPITC was the preferred method due to the low cost per experiment, the reactivity with both lysine and arginine terminated peptides and the resultant simplified MS/MS spectra.*Australian Peptide Conference Issue.**This project was funded by an ARC Linkage grant to Deane supported by TGR Biosciences and facilitated by access to the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility established under the Australian Government’s Major National Research Facilities program.     

Identification of a novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plasmopara halstedii</Emphasis> elicitor protein combining <Emphasis Type="Italic">de novo</Emphasis> peptide sequencing algorithms and RACE-PCR

Background  

Often high-quality MS/MS spectra of tryptic peptides do not match to any database entry because of only partially sequenced genomes and therefore, protein identification requires de novo peptide sequencing. To achieve protein identification of the economically important but still unsequenced plant pathogenic oomycete Plasmopara halstedii, we first evaluated the performance of three different de novo peptide sequencing algorithms applied to a protein digests of standard proteins using a quadrupole TOF (QStar Pulsar i).