Native mass spectrometry : a valuable tool in structural biology

Abstract

Proteins and the complexes they form with their ligands are the players of cellular action. Their function is directly linked with their structure making the structural analysis of protein-ligand complexes essential. Classical techniques of structural biology include X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and recently distinguished cryo-electron microscopy. However, protein-ligand complexes are often dynamic and heterogeneous and consequently challenging for these techniques. Alternative approaches are therefore needed and gained importance during the last decades. One alternative is native mass spectrometry, which is the analysis of intact protein complexes in the gas phase. To achieve this, sample preparation and instrument conditions have to be optimised. Native mass spectrometry then reveals stoichiometry, protein interactions and topology of protein assemblies. Advanced techniques such as ion mobility and high-resolution mass spectrometry further add to the range of applications and deliver information on shape and microheterogeneity of the complexes. In this tutorial, we explain the basics of native mass spectrometry including sample requirements, instrument modifications and interpretation of native mass spectra. We further discuss the developments of native mass spectrometry and provide example spectra and applications.