Detection of Noncovalent Receptor-Ligand Complexes by Mass Spectrometry

摘要

Few methods are known for detecting and identifying enzyme-substrate, receptor-ligand, and antibody-antigen complexes, whose weak noncovalent interactions constitute the essential basis of molecular recognition in the biological world. With newer ionization techniques, mass spectrometry (MS) can be applied to problems of biological interest; however, efforts to date have focused on sequencing carbohydrates, oligonucleotides, peptides, and proteins and detecting other macromolecules. The newly developed technique of ion-spray (pneumatically assisted electrospray) MS forms gas-phase macromolecular ions directly from solution at atmospheric pressure via protonation and ion evaporation. In contrast to electrospray, ion-spray MS can be performed in water without cosolvent, which is ideal for most biological systems.