Tandem mass spectrometry of intact proteins for characterization of biomarkers from Bacillus cereus T spores

Anal Chem. 2001 Dec 1;73(23):5725-31. doi: 10.1021/ac010672n.

Abstract

Intact protein biomarkers from Bacillus cereus T spores have been analyzed by high-resolution tandem Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Two techniques have been applied for excitation of the isolated multiply charged precursor ion species: sustained off-resonance irradiation/collisionally activated dissociation and electron capture dissociation. Fragmentation-derived sequence tags and BLAST sequence similarity proteome database searches allow unequivocal identification of the major biomarker protein with unprecedented specificity. Sequence-specific fragmentation patterns further confirm protein identification. Moreover, methodology combining accurate mass measurements of intact proteins with additional information contained in a proteome database permits tentative assignment of several other protein biomarkers isolated from the B. cereus T spores. We argue that approaches involving tandem MS of protein biomarkers, combined with bioinformatics, can drastically improve the specificity of individual microorganism identification, particularly in complex environments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacillus cereus / chemistry*
  • Biomarkers
  • Databases, Protein
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Spores, Bacterial / chemistry

Substances

  • Biomarkers