A Workflow for Improved Analysis of Cross-Linking Mass Spectrometry Data Integrating Parallel Accumulation-Serial Fragmentation with MeroX and Skyline

Anal Chem. 2024 May 14;96(19):7373-7379. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00829. Epub 2024 May 2.

Abstract

Cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) has evolved into a pivotal technique for probing protein interactions. This study describes the implementation of Parallel Accumulation-Serial Fragmentation (PASEF) on timsTOF instruments, enhancing the detection and analysis of protein interactions by XL-MS. Addressing the challenges in XL-MS, such as the interpretation of complex spectra, low abundant cross-linked peptides, and a data acquisition bias, our current study integrates a peptide-centric approach for the analysis of XL-MS data and presents the foundation for integrating data-independent acquisition (DIA) in XL-MS with a vendor-neutral and open-source platform. A novel workflow is described for processing data-dependent acquisition (DDA) of PASEF-derived information. For this, software by Bruker Daltonics is used, enabling the conversion of these data into a format that is compatible with MeroX and Skyline software tools. Our approach significantly improves the identification of cross-linked products from complex mixtures, allowing the XL-MS community to overcome current analytical limitations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Linking Reagents* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry*
  • Peptides / analysis
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Software*
  • Workflow*