Identification of Protein Interaction Partners in Mammalian Cells Using SILAC-immunoprecipitation Quantitative Proteomics

Quantitative proteomics combined with immuno-affinity purification, SILAC immunoprecipitation, represent a powerful means for the discovery of novel protein:protein interactions. By allowing the accurate relative quantification of protein abundance in both control and test samples, true interactions may be easily distinguished from experimental contaminants. Low affinity interactions can be preserved through the use of less-stringent buffer conditions and remain readily identifiable. This protocol discusses the labeling of tissue culture cells with stable isotope labeled amino acids, transfection and immunoprecipitation of an affinity tagged protein of interest, followed by the preparation for submission to a mass spectrometry facility. This protocol then discusses how to analyze and interpret the data returned from the mass spectrometer in order to identify cellular partners interacting with a protein of interest. As an example this technique is applied to identify proteins binding to the eukaryotic translation initiation factors: eIF4AI and eIF4AII.     

质谱方法实现抗体类药物糖链修饰的鉴定与定量研究

基于液质联用的串联质谱技术,建立基于完整糖肽水平的抗体药糖型定性定量分析方法,并用于生物仿制药糖型研究。     

Identification of CRM1-dependent Nuclear Export Cargos Using Quantitative Mass Spectrometry

Chromosome region maintenance 1/exportin1/Exp1/Xpo1 (CRM1) is the major transport receptor for the export of proteins from the nucleus. It binds to nuclear export signals (NESs) that are rich in leucines and other hydrophobic amino acids. The prediction of NESs is difficult because of the extreme recognition flexibility of CRM1. Furthermore, proteins can be exported upon binding to an NES-containing adaptor protein. Here we present an approach for identifying targets of the CRM1-export pathway via quantitative mass spectrometry using stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture. With this approach, we identified >100 proteins from HeLa cells that were depleted from cytosolic fractions and/or enriched in nuclear fractions in the presence of the selective CRM1-inhibitor leptomycin B. Novel and validated substrates are the polyubiquitin-binding protein sequestosome 1, the cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), the guanine nucleotide-binding protein-like 3-like protein, the programmed cell death protein 2-like protein, and the cytosolic carboxypeptidase 1 (CCP1). We identified a functional NES in CCP1 that mediates direct binding to the export receptor CRM1. The method will be applicable to other nucleocytoplasmic transport pathways, as well as to the analysis of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling proteins under different growth conditions.The transport of macromolecules across the nuclear envelope occurs through large proteinaceous structures called nuclear pore complexes (NPCs).¹ NPCs are composed of ∼30 nucleoporins that occur in copy numbers of eight or multiples of eight, leading to a complex with a total size of ∼125 MDa in vertebrate cells (1, 2). Active nucleocytoplasmic transport of proteins is a signal- and energy-dependent process that is mostly mediated by transport receptors of the importin β-superfamily called karyopherins or importins/exportins (3, 4). These proteins interact not only with their cargos, but also with certain nucleoporins, facilitating the translocation of the transport complex across the NPC. For nuclear export, at least seven nuclear export receptors/exportins have been identified (3, 4). Chromosome region maintenance 1/exportin1/Exp1/Xpo1 (CRM1) is the most important export receptor for proteins in yeast and vertebrates, and it is also involved in the export of several RNA species (5). Very little is known about the interaction of CRM1 with nucleoporins. Binding to cargo molecules, in contrast, is very well described. Exported proteins typically carry a nuclear export signal (NES) that is enriched with leucines or other hydrophobic amino acids. Such leucine-rich NESs were first discovered in the HIV type 1 Rev protein (6) and the cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor (7). The consensus sequence consists of four key hydrophobic amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine, and phenylalanine or methionine; denoted by Φ¹–Φ⁴) following the sequence Φ¹-(x)_2–3-Φ²-(x)_2–3-Φ³-(x)-Φ₄, with x preferentially being a charged polar or small amino acid (for a review, see Ref. 8). A structural analysis of different NES peptides revealed a fifth hydrophobic amino acid in some substrates involved in CRM1 recognition, leading to a revised consensus sequence of Φ⁰-(x)-Φ¹-(x)_2–3-Φ²-(x)_2–3-Φ³-(x)-Φ⁴ (9). In a very recent study, Chook and coworkers established a novel database, NESdb, for NES-containing proteins and analyzed the sequence requirements for proteins in that database in detail (10, 11). “Supraphysiological ” substrates with NESs that fulfill all criteria bind CRM1 with very high affinity and can outcompete other substrates (9, 12). Apart from linear sequences, CRM1 might recognize more complex export signals, such as in fatty acid binding protein 4, in which a functional NES is established only in the tertiary structure of the protein (13), or in snurportin 1 (SPN1), in which sequences outside of the NES proper contribute to CRM1 binding (14–16). This high level of complexity in the recognition sequence for the export receptor makes it very difficult to predict potential CRM1-dependent export cargos using bioinformatics tools. Nevertheless, >200 potential CRM substrates have been described so far (11, 17–19; see also NESbase 1.0 and NESdb).The small GTP-binding protein Ran also plays an essential role in CRM1-mediated nuclear export, as it binds cooperatively to the export receptor, together with the NES cargo. As the affinity of many NES substrates for CRM1 is rather low, the formation of this trimeric transport complex seems to be a rate-limiting step in nuclear export (20). On the nuclear side of the NPC, a number of accessory factors such as RanBP3 (21, 22), Nup98 (23), and NLP1 (24) can further promote the formation of export complexes. Following export, RanBP1 and RanGAP initiate the disassembly of the export complex (for a review, see Ref. 3).A powerful tool for the analysis of CRM1-mediated export is the fungal metabolite leptomycin B (LMB). LMB originally was discovered as an antifungal antibiotic in Streptomyces (25) and later turned out to be a specific and selective inhibitor of the CRM1-mediated nuclear export pathway (26, 27). It binds covalently to cysteine 528 in the NES-binding region of human CRM1 (28), preventing the formation of trimeric export complexes (for a review, see Ref. 5).We used a quantitative MS-based approach (stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)) to evaluate the nuclear export characteristics of proteins by measuring changes in their relative abundance in subcellular fractions after blocking the CRM1-mediated nuclear export with LMB. Using this approach, we identified known and novel CRM1-targets and characterized the NES of one cargo, cytosolic carboxypeptidase 1 (CCP1), in detail.     

Identification and Quantification of Proteoforms by Mass Spectrometry

A proteoform is a defined form of a protein derived from a given gene with a specific amino acid sequence and localized post‐translational modifications. In top‐down proteomic analyses, proteoforms are identified and quantified through mass spectrometric analysis of intact proteins. Recent technological developments have enabled comprehensive proteoform analyses in complex samples, and an increasing number of laboratories are adopting top‐down proteomic workflows. In this review, some recent advances are outlined and current challenges and future directions for the field are discussed.     

Easy Identification of Leishmania Species by Mass Spectrometry

Background

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by several Leishmania species that are associated with variable outcomes before and after therapy. Optimal treatment decision is based on an accurate identification of the infecting species but current methods to type Leishmania isolates are relatively complex and/or slow. Therefore, the initial treatment decision is generally presumptive, the infecting species being suspected on epidemiological and clinical grounds. A simple method to type cultured isolates would facilitate disease management.

Methodology

We analyzed MALDI-TOF spectra of promastigote pellets from 46 strains cultured in monophasic medium, including 20 short-term cultured isolates from French travelers (19 with CL, 1 with VL). As per routine procedure, clinical isolates were analyzed in parallel with Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) at the National Reference Center for Leishmania.

Principal Findings

Automatic dendrogram analysis generated a classification of isolates consistent with reference determination of species based on MLST or hsp70 sequencing. A minute analysis of spectra based on a very simple, database-independent analysis of spectra based on the algorithm showed that the mutually exclusive presence of two pairs of peaks discriminated isolates considered by reference methods to belong either to the Viannia or Leishmania subgenus, and that within each subgenus presence or absence of a few peaks allowed discrimination to species complexes level.

Conclusions/Significance

Analysis of cultured Leishmania isolates using mass spectrometry allows a rapid and simple classification to the species complex level consistent with reference methods, a potentially useful method to guide treatment decision in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.     

Quantitative Multiplex Substrate Profiling of Peptidases by Mass Spectrometry

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Highlights

• •Quantitative substrate profiling method for characterizing peptidase specificity.
• •Applicable to both purified peptidases and peptidases in complex biological samples.
• •TMT labeling improves throughput, accuracy and reproducibility of the assay.
• •Design of fluorescent probes to monitor peptidase activity based on substrate data.

     

Rapid Identification of Clinical Yeast Isolates by Mass Spectrometry

Historically, yeasts and molds have been identified by their microscopy and macroscopy appearance, detection of specific antigens and metabolites, the results of biochemical testing, and the presence of species-specific gene sequences. These methods are either nonspecific or, in the case of gene sequencing, technically demanding, time-consuming, and expensive. Recent studies have demonstrated that matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) is a rapid, simple, inexpensive, and accurate tool for the identification of a wide spectrum of bacteria and fungi. There are also promising reports that this technology can be used for subtyping organisms and for performing antifungal susceptibility tests. This article reviews the applications of MALDI-TOF MS for routine clinical microbiology testing.     

Identification and Monitoring of Host Cell Proteins by Mass Spectrometry Combined with High Performance Immunochemistry Testing

Biotherapeutics are often produced in non-human host cells like Escherichia coli, yeast, and various mammalian cell lines. A major focus of any therapeutic protein purification process is to reduce host cell proteins to an acceptable low level. In this study, various E. coli host cell proteins were identified at different purifications steps by HPLC fractionation, SDS-PAGE analysis, and tryptic peptide mapping combined with online liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). However, no host cell proteins could be verified by direct LC-MS analysis of final drug substance material. In contrast, the application of affinity enrichment chromatography prior to comprehensive LC-MS was adequate to identify several low abundant host cell proteins at the final drug substance level. Bacterial alkaline phosphatase (BAP) was identified as being the most abundant host cell protein at several purification steps. Thus, we firstly established two different assays for enzymatic and immunological BAP monitoring using the cobas® technology. By using this strategy we were able to demonstrate an almost complete removal of BAP enzymatic activity by the established therapeutic protein purification process. In summary, the impact of fermentation, purification, and formulation conditions on host cell protein removal and biological activity can be conducted by monitoring process-specific host cell proteins in a GMP-compatible and high-throughput (> 1000 samples/day) manner.     

Specificity and Commonality of the Phosphoinositide-Binding Proteome Analyzed by Quantitative Mass Spectrometry

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Detection of Differentially Expressed Basal Cell Proteins by Mass Spectrometry

The ability of cells to modulate interactions with each other and the substrate is essential for epithelial tissue remodeling during processes such as wound healing and tumor progression. However, despite strides made in the field of proteomics, proteins involved in adhesion have been difficult to study. Here, we report a method for the enrichment and analysis of proteins associated with the basal surface of the cell and its underlying matrix. The enrichment involves deroofing the cells with 20 mm ammonium hydroxide and the removal of cytosolic and organellar proteins by stringent water wash. Proteomic profiling was achieved by LC-FTMS, which allowed comparison of differentially expressed or shared proteins under different cell states. First, we analyzed and compared the basal cell components of mouse keratinocytes lacking the cell-cell junction molecule plakoglobin with their control counterparts. Changes in the molecules involved in motility and invasion were detected in plakoglobin-deficient cells, including decreased detection of fibronectin, integrin β₄, and FAT tumor suppressor. Second, we assessed the differences in basal cell components between two human oral squamous cell carcinoma lines originating from different sites in the oral cavity (CAL33 and UM-SCC-1). The data show differences between the two lines in the type and abundance of proteins specific to cell adhesion, migration, and angiogenesis. Therefore, the method described here has the potential to serve as a platform to assess proteomic changes in basal cell components including extracellular and adhesion-specific proteins involved in wound healing, cancer, and chronic and acquired adhesion-related disorders.There is an urgent need for tools to comprehensively identify markers of normal and pathological processes at the molecular level. DNA microarrays have enabled researchers to follow gene expression changes with respect to many of these processes, including individual tumors in the case of cancer (1). Direct detection of proteins is typically required to validate changes at the gene product level; however, the changes in protein levels do not always reflect changes in gene expression because of post-translational modifications, differential compartmentalization, recycling, and degradation. Because it is ultimately the proteins that convey cellular phenotypes, it is necessary to develop methods for direct screening of proteins, and mass spectrometry shows promise for this purpose. However, the usefulness of mass spectrometry as an analytical tool to detect proteins in cells or tissue is limited to the extent to which the sample is sufficiently enriched for the specific fraction of interest. It is still challenging to identify molecules involved in specific normal or pathological processes because the relevant proteins are often difficult to isolate from the majority of cellular proteins that are not correlated to the process of interest. In this context, an ideal proteomics approach would require a minimal amount of starting material, be amenable to an efficient enrichment strategy, and would provide results quickly.It has been well established that molecules directly involved in cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesions are critical for processes such as epithelial to mesenchymal transition and wound healing. Their further role in regulation of tissue integrity, cell polarity, motility, and invasion is emphasized by a variety of disorders stemming from their inappropriate expression and mutations (2, 3). Selectins, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 have been established both as biomarkers (4) and predictive factors (5, 6) for the development of accelerated atherosclerosis and heart disease. In epithelial tissues, reduced expression of the cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin correlates with epithelial to mesenchymal transition, tissue invasion, and metastasis and is a prognostic biomarker of poor clinical outcome in many cell types (7–9). Furthermore, up-regulating E-cadherin is considered as a treatment option in several types of cancer (10). Therefore, methods are also needed to not only identify adhesion molecules as disease markers but to also understand the pathology of underlying medical problems caused by impairment in adhesion molecule function (e.g. inability to heal chronic wounds (11)). However, the lack of knowledge about regulation and functional interactions of the specific adhesion-related proteins has so far thwarted the attempts at direct targeting of these molecules in basic and clinical research (12, 13). Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of how proteins that function in adhesive processes work together to maintain proper tissue form and function is critical.Some of the same barriers to effective application of mass spectrometry as an analytical tool (as discussed above) have impeded analysis of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion-dependent processes such as wound healing and cancer (14). The study of extracellular matrix (ECM)1 and adhesion-related proteins is further complicated by the difficulty in sample preparation because compared with cytosolic proteins basal cell proteins are often highly insoluble (e.g. transmembrane and plaque components) and difficult to isolate from intracellular proteins. One general strategy involves using ECM-specific enzymes to dislodge the cells at their points of attachment (15). The supernatant from the partial digest is collected for further proteomics analysis. However, most mass spectrometric analyses depend on detection of peptides with specific ionization and fragmentation properties that are most readily achieved using trypsin as the sole enzyme. The use of ECM-specific enzymes may result in a distribution of peptides that are not optimal for detection (i.e. the generation of non-tryptic termini). The other general approach to isolate components of the ECM involves using detergents to lyse cells on the surfaces to which they are attached and collect the remaining cell debris for analysis (15). Although progress has been made with respect to the creation of “mass spectrometry-friendly” detergents (16), the use of chemicals for the purpose of protein solubilization is generally not ideal. To overcome these problems, we adapted a fast, simple method of isolating extracellular, transmembrane, and associated proteins (from here on collectively referred to as “basal cell proteins”) from cells attached to a solid substrate. The method consists of “deroofing” the cells attached to glass coverslips by 20 mm NH₄OH solution followed by rapid water rinses to remove the bulk of the cell and its remaining debris (17). Our results show efficient removal of cytoplasm and organelles and detection of basal cell proteins by mass spectrometry, including those involved in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. These proteins were liberated from the surface with trypsin, and the subsequently generated peptides were detected and profiled for differences using LC-FTMS.The approach was first validated by comparing basal cell protein composition in mouse keratinocytes with or without a critical cell-cell junction protein called plakoglobin (PG). This desmosomal protein is required for cell-cell adhesion and maintenance of tissue integrity (18). Plakoglobin inhibits keratinocyte motility (19) and is down-regulated in several distinct tumor types, including bladder, breast, and cervical cancers (20–22). Moreover, we were able to dissect the molecular differences between an independent isolate of PG^−/− keratinocytes that behaved differently in motility assays from the rest of the PG-null cells, further emphasizing the potential for using the method to differentiate between cells with distinct adhesive and motile behaviors. The method was then evaluated in clinically relevant human tumor cell lines by extending the analysis to include two human oral squamous cancers of different origin. Because they lack precisely defined changes in cell adhesion molecules and phenotype, we compared the basal cell protein expression of UM-SCC-1 (23) and CAL33 (24) cell lines isolated from the roof of the mouth and tongue, respectively. These experiments revealed 40 proteins differentially expressed between the cell lines among over 100 detected. Moreover, the proteomic profile reveals a set of motility- and invasion-related genes unique to tongue-derived CAL33 cells. This could indicate the difference between oral cancers derived from different parts of the mouth, or it may indicate a potential difference in aggressiveness between these cell lines. These results show that our detection method is applicable for both detection and comparative studies in human cancer model systems.     

Interaction of the Circadian Cycle with the Cell Cycle in Pyrocystis fusiformis

Dividing pairs or single cells of the large dinoflagellate, Pyrocystis fusiformis Murray, were isolated in capillary tubes and their morphology was observed over a number of days, either in a light-dark cycle or in constant darkness. Morphological stages were correlated with the first growth stage, G₁, DNA synthesis, S, the second growth stage, G₂, mitosis, M, and cytokinesis, C, segments of the cell division cycle. The S phase was identified by measuring the nuclear DNA content of cells of different morphologies by the fluorescence of 4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dichloride.

Cells changed from one morphological stage to the next only during the night phase of the circadian cycle, both under light-dark conditions and in continuous darkness. Cells in all segments of the cell division cycle displayed a circadian rhythm in bioluminescence. These findings are incompatible with a mechanism for circadian oscillations that invokes cycling in G_q, an hypothesized side loop from G₁. All morphological stages, not only division, appear to be phased by the circadian clock.

     

Data-independent Acquisition Improves Quantitative Cross-linking Mass Spectrometry

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Highlights

• •Quantitative cross-linking mass spectrometry (QCLMS) was automated by Spectronaut.
• •Data-independent acquisition (DIA) was adapted to QCLMS.
• •Accuracy and precision of quantitation improves with DIA over DDA.
• •QCLMS is now ready for use in complex samples.

     

利用气相色谱/质谱联用分析林麝麝香中麝香酮和甾类成分

采用气相色谱/质谱(GC/MS)联用的方法,对林麝麝香中的甾体成分进行分析,确定了林麝麝香样品含有多种甾体成分的结构,并分析了不同来源的林麝麝香的麝香酮及甾体成分.通过检索NIST05质谱库,进一步确定了麝香中含有16种甾体成分.利用外标法、标准曲线法同时测定了麝香样品中3种甾类成分(胆固醇、苯胆烷醇酮及麝香酮)的含量,麝香酮的定量分析显示所有样品麝香中麝香酮含量均较高(30.1～45.2 mg/g),但甾类成分含量波动较大.聚类分析显示,9个麝香样品聚为两支.利用GC/MS技术检测麝香成分的方法,可以提供麝香较为全面的甾类信息,可高效准确地对麝香进行质量分析.