Mass Spectrometry Identification of Protein and Small Molecule Complexes

Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to detect and identify molecular structures by measuring the mass and charge of particles, thereby determining the chemical structure of substances. In biological research, mass spectrometry is widely used for the analysis of protein and small molecule complexes. By identifying protein and small molecule complexes through mass spectrometry, it provides an in-depth understanding of biological systems, which is of significant importance for disease mechanism research, drug discovery, and other areas.

1. Sample Preparation

First, the sample to be tested needs to be mixed to distribute evenly in the solution. This is usually done by suspending or dissolving the sample in an appropriate solvent.

2. Separation and Detection

Then, the sample is ionized using the ionization source of the mass spectrometer, converting the molecules in the sample into charged particles. These charged particles pass through the mass spectrometer at different speeds under the influence of an electric field, based on their mass-to-charge ratio. Finally, the detector measures the relative abundance of various ions to produce a mass spectrum.

3. Result Analysis

The mass spectrum of protein and small molecule complexes usually contains a series of peaks, each corresponding to one or more specific molecular ions. By analyzing these peaks, the corresponding molecular mass can be obtained, which allows inference of the molecular structure. Additionally, by analyzing the mass spectrum, more information about protein and small molecule complexes can be acquired, such as chemical modifications, subunit composition, domains, etc.

4. Advantages

Mass spectrometry has high sensitivity, high accuracy, and high speed advantages, enabling accurate identification of proteins and small molecule complexes in complex samples. This has led to its widespread application in biological research.

BiotechPack, A Biopharmaceutical Characterization and Multi-Omics Mass Spectrometry (MS) Services Provider

Related Services:

Protein Mass Spectrometry Identification

Peptide Mass Spectrometry Identification

Shotgun Proteomics Identification

Membrane Protein Identification Service

Pull-down Target Protein Mass Spectrometry Identification

Protein-Protein Interaction Mass Spectrometry Analysis