Cited by 86Advanced Proteomics Techniques and ApplicationsMass Spectrometry Techniques and ApplicationsMetabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies

A comprehensive pipeline for translational top-down proteomics from a single blood draw

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Toby, Timothy K., Fornelli, Luca, Srzentić, Kristina, DeHart, Caroline J., Levitsky, Josh, Friedewald, John, Kelleher, Neil L.·2019·Nature Protocols

Abstract

Top-down proteomics (TDP) by mass spectrometry (MS) is a technique by which intact proteins are analyzed. It has become increasingly popDesalting and concentrating GELFrEEular in translational research because of the value of characterizing distinct proteoforms of intact proteins. Compared to bottom-up proteomics (BUP) strategies, which measure digested peptide mixtures, TDP provides highly specific molecular information that avoids the bioinformatic challenge of protein inference. However, the technique has been difficult to implement widely because of inherent limitations of existing sample preparation methods and instrumentation. Recent improvements in proteoform pre-fractionation and the availability of high-resolution benchtop mass spectrometers have made it possible to use high-throughput TDP for the analysis of complex clinical samples. Here, we provide a comprehensive protocol for analysis of a common sample type in translational research: human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The pipeline comprises multiple workflows that can be treated as modular by the reader and used for various applications. First, sample collection and cell preservation are described for two clinical biorepository storage schemes. Cell lysis and proteoform pre-fractionation by gel-eluted liquid fractionation entrapment electrophoresis are then described. Importantly, instrument setup and liquid chromatography-tandem MS are described for TDP analyses, which rely on high-resolution Fourier-transform MS. Finally, data processing and analysis are described using two different, application-dependent software tools: ProSight Lite for targeted analyses of one or a few proteoforms and TDPortal for high-throughput TDP in discovery mode. For a single sample, the minimum completion time of the entire experiment is 72 h.

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  • A range of clinical samples including serum, urine, or biopsy tissue have been studied using top-down proteomics to identify protein profiles characteristic of a disease and generate more reliable biomarkers.

    “A range of clinical samples including serum, urine, or biopsy tissue, have been studied using top-down proteomics to identify protein profiles characteristic of a certain disease generating a more reliable biomarker [155–157].”
  • Toby et al. developed a top-down proteomics-based protocol for analyzing human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

    “Recently, Toby et al. developed a top-down proteomics-based protocol for the analysis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells [157].”

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  1. [60]Toby TK Proteoforms in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as novel rejection biomarkers in liver transplant recipients. Am. J. Transplant 17, 2458– 2467 (2017). 28510335 PMC5612406

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Authors
Toby, T. K., Fornelli, L., Srzentić, K., DeHart, C. J., Levitsky, J., Friedewald, J., & Kelleher, N. L.
Affiliations
Northwestern University (US)
Corresponding author
Kelleher, Neil L.
Venue
Nature Protocols
Published
2018-12-05
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
119-152
ISSN
  • 1750-2799 (ISSN-L)
  • 1754-2189
OpenAlex
W2569599813
Cited by
86
References
69
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 7 · 2015: 1
FWCI
3.24
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Protocols (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (P41GM108569, T32GM105538)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Spectroscopy › Advanced Proteomics Techniques and Applications
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Spectroscopy › Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
Keywords
top-down proteomics, proteoforms, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, cell lysis, sample preparation, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, clinical samples
MeSH terms
Amino Acid Sequence, Chromatography, Liquid, Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel, Fourier Analysis, Humans, Leukocytes, Mononuclear, Software, Phlebotomy, Proteome, Proteomics, Complex Mixtures, Tandem Mass Spectrometry

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