Photochemical Crosslinking And Mass Spectrometric Characterization Of Dna Binding Proteins And Oligonucleotides

A novel protocol for the study of protein-nucleic acid interactions is presented and demonstrated to be feasible. The protocol combines photochemical crosslinking techniques and mass spectrometric methods into a new strategy for identifying protein domains or amino acid residues that are in close contact with nucleic acid in protein-nucleic acid complexes. Identifying nucleic acid binding domains in proteins provides a starting point for understanding structure-function relationships in protein-nucleic acid complexes. The protocol can be divided into three parts: 1) Cross linking of the protein-nucleic acid complex by irradiation with ultraviolet light and subsequently verifying the crosslinking by mass spectrometry; 2) Mass spectrometric peptide mapping of crosslinked protein-nucleic acid complexes to identify crosslinked peptide-nucleic acid hybrids; 3) Tandem mass spectrometric sequencing of peptide-nucleic acid hybrids to localize the crosslinked amino acid residue(s). The experimental data described in this dissertation documents our efforts to establish and implement this analytical protocol. Using several different protein-nucleic acid systems and different crosslinking techniques, we have demonstrated the feasibility of a mass spectrometric based approach to structurally characterize UV-crosslinked protein-nucleic acid complexes. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry was for the first time demonstrated to be highly effective for detection and molecular weight determination of intact, UV-crosslinked protein-nucleic acid complexes and for molecular weight determination of synthetic and UV-crosslinked peptide-nucleic acid hybrids. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry was demonstrated to be effective for analysis of synthetic peptide-nucleic acid hybrids and, in conjunction with HPLC, for peptide mapping of a protein. The first application of MALDI mass spectrometry to the characterization of crosslinked peptide-nucleic acid hybrids isolated from a photochemically crosslinked protein-nucleic acid complex demonstrate that the new protocol can be used to identify nucleic acid binding domains in proteins.

This authoritative book on MALDI MS, now finally available in its second edition and edited by one of its inventors, gives an in-depth description of the many different applications, along with a detailed discussion of the technology itself. Thoroughly updated and expanded, with contributions from key players in the field, this unique book provides a comprehensive overview of MALDI MS along with its possibilities and limitations. The initial chapters deal with the technology and the instrumental setup, followed by chapters on the use of MALDI MS in protein research (including proteomics), genomics, glycomics and lipidomics. The option of MALDI-MS for the analysis of polymers and small molecules are also covered in separate chapters, while new to this edition is a section devoted to the interplay of MALDI MS and bioinformatics. A much-needed practical and educational asset for individuals, academic institutions and companies in the field of bioanalytics.

Techniques in Protein Chemistry V highlights current methods in peptide and protein mass spectrometry, sequence and amino acid analysis, fragmentations, separations, protein folding and modeling, peptide and protein NMR, and peptide synthesis. This volume emerged from the manuscripts presented at the Seventh Symposium of the Protein Society, held in San Diego on July 24-28, 1993. This volume is organized into eight parts encompassing 61 chapters. The first part surveys the peptide and protein characterization, detection, and analysis by mass spectrometry. The subsequent parts describe the structural characterization and analysis of posttranslational processing events, as well as the characterization of protein and amino acid sequences using several analytical techniques. Other parts explore other analytical methods for peptide and protein separations; some aspects involved in protein design and functional domain analysis; and the evaluation of protein conformation, folding, and modeling. The last parts contain research papers on NMR analysis of peptide and protein solution structures. These parts also look into topics related to peptide synthesis and peptide libraries. This book is intended primarily for protein and analytical chemists.

There is growing enthusiasm in the scientific community about the prospect of mapping and sequencing the human genome, a monumental project that will have far-reaching consequences for medicine, biology, technology, and other fields. But how will such an effort be organized and funded? How will we develop the new technologies that are needed? What new legal, social, and ethical questions will be raised? Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome is a blueprint for this proposed project. The authors offer a highly readable explanation of the technical aspects of genetic mapping and sequencing, and they recommend specific interim and long-range research goals, organizational strategies, and funding levels. They also outline some of the legal and social questions that might arise and urge their early consideration by policymakers.

In this volume expert researchers in the field detail many of the methods which are now commonly used to study RNA. These methods are presented as a guidebook to scientists who are experienced with RNA research and want to brush up on a new technique. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and intuitive, RNA-RNA Interactions: Methods and Protocols guides scientists investigating biological systems and studying RNA.

Vols. for 1963- include as pt. 2 of the Jan. issue: Medical subject headings.