ABSTRACT
The synthesis and characterization of photocleavable peptide-DNA conjugates is described along with their use as photocleavable mass marker (PCMM) hybridization probes for the detection of target DNA sequences by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. Three photocleavable peptide-DNA conjugates were synthesized, purified, and characterized using HPLC and denaturing gel electrophoresis, as well as IR-MALDI and UV-MALDI. The hybridization properties of the conjugates were also studied by monitoring their thermal denaturation with absorption spectroscopy. No significant difference in the melting temperature ( T (m)) of the duplexes was observed between the unmodified duplex and the duplex in which one strand was modified with the photocleavable peptide moiety. These conjugates were evaluated as hybridization probes for the detection of immobilized synthetic target DNAs using MALDI-MS. In these experiments, the DNA portion of the conjugate acts as a hybridization probe, whereas the peptide is photoreleased during the ionization/desorption step of UV-MALDI and can serve as a marker (mass tag) to identify a unique target DNA sequence. The method should be applicable to a wide variety of assays requiring highly multiplexed DNA/RNA analysis, including gene expression monitoring, genetic profiling and the detection of pathogens.
Subject(s)
DNA/chemistry , Peptides/chemistry , Base Sequence , DNA Probes , Hydrolysis , Nucleic Acid Hybridization , Photochemistry , Protein Denaturation , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization , TemperatureABSTRACT
Oligonucleotides containing a photocleavable biotin (5'-PC-biotin) were analyzed by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) with wavelengths in the ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) from solution and after capture on streptavidin-coated agarose or magnetic beads. The analysis was used to monitor the release of the oligonucleotides as a result of photochemical cleavage of the biotinylated linker. Near-UV pulses (UV-MALDI) led to predominant release of the photocleaved product. In contrast, only the uncleaved analyte was detected using IR pulses (IR-MALDI). Results from MALDI analysis are also presented for DNA containing a photocleavable 5'-amino group which can be covalently linked to a variety of activated surfaces and marker molecules. In a demonstration of this approach, a 5'-PC-biotinylated 49 nt RNA oligonucleotide was enzymatically synthesized using a PC-biotin-r(AG) dinucleotide primer, captured on streptavidin coated magnetic beads and analyzed by UV-MALDI. Potential applications of photocleavable linkers combined with MALDI for the analysis of nucleic acids are discussed.
Subject(s)
Biotin , DNA/chemistry , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization/methods , Base Sequence , DNA/genetics , Infrared Rays , Photochemistry , Protein Engineering , Ultraviolet RaysABSTRACT
tRNATyr and tRNASer purified from bulk brewer's yeast tRNA were subjected to analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Choosing a mixture of 2,4,6- and 2,3,4-trihydroxy-acetophenone and diammonium citrate as matrix a mass resolution of up to 220 (FWHM) was achieved in the linear mode of operation. Cation adduct suppression by addition of cation exchange beads and a chelating agent (CDTA) is shown to substantially improve mass resolution for this class of molecules.
Subject(s)
RNA, Fungal/chemistry , RNA, Transfer/chemistry , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-IonizationABSTRACT
The determination of RNA sequences using base- specific enzymatic cleavages is a well established method. Different synthetic RNA molecules were analyzed for uniformity of degradation by RNase T1, U2, A and PhyM under reaction conditions compatible with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS), to identify the positions of G, A and pyrimidine residues. In order to get a complete set of fragments derived from cleavage at every phosphodiester bond, the samples were also subjected to a limited alkaline hydrolysis. Additionally, the 5'-terminus fragments of a 49mer RNA transcript were isolated by way of 5'-biotinylation and streptavidin-coated magnetic beads (Dynal), followed by a RNase U2digestion. MALDI-MS of the generated fragments is presented as an efficient technique for a direct read out of the nucleotide sequence.
Subject(s)
Oligoribonucleotides/chemistry , RNA/chemistry , Ribonucleases/metabolism , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization/methods , Animals , Aspergillus oryzae/enzymology , Base Sequence , Cattle , Chickens , Liver/enzymology , Molecular Sequence Data , Oligoribonucleotides/chemical synthesis , Pancreas/enzymology , Physarum/enzymology , Plants , RNA/biosynthesis , Ribonuclease T1/metabolism , Substrate Specificity , Transcription, Genetic , Ustilago/enzymologyABSTRACT
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) was used for the study of complexes formed by yeast seryl-tRNA synthetase (SerRS) and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) with tRNASer and tRNATyr. Cognate and noncognate complexes were easily distinguished due to a large mass difference between the two tRNAs. Both homodimeric synthetases gave MS spectra indicating intact desorption of dimers. The spectra of synthetase-cognate tRNA mixtures showed peaks of free components and peaks assigned to complexes. Noncognate complexes were also detected. In competition experiments, where both tRNA species were mixed with each enzyme only cognate alpha2.tRNA complexes were observed. Only cognate alpha2.tRNA2 complexes were detected with each enzyme. These results demonstrate that MALDI-MS can be used successfully for accurate mass and, thus, stoichiometry determination of specific high molecular weight noncovalent protein-nucleic acid complexes.
