Analysis of S-S Bonds

If the gene sequence that codes for the target antibody indicates a cysteine residue, the Guidelines require the determination of the number and positions of all free sulfhydryl groups and disulfide bonds. This is evaluated using peptide mapping (under reducing conditions and non-reducing conditions), mass spectrometry or another suitable method.

Introduced here is the analysis using a combination of peptide mapping and mass spectrometry. This method involves digesting the target protein in a proteolytic enzyme such as trypsin under various conditions and comparing the molecular weights of the generated peptide fragments with the theoretical values. The test procedures and results for the analysis of human lysozyme are introduced.

Experiment and Research Flow

• Use the cell-free protein synthesis kit (Transdirect insect cell) to synthesize human lysozyme in a test tube. (Fig. 1 shows the sequence of the synthesized human lysozyme.)
• Purify in an affinity column (Strep-Tactin super flow, manufactured by QIAGEN, Germany).
• Denature using 8M urea.
• Trypsin digestion after three types of pretreatment: untreated (retaining S-S bond); S-alkylation (alkylation of any free SH groups that exist); reduction and alkylation (reduction of S-S bonds followed by alkylation of SH groups)

Results

Fig. 1 shows the amino acid sequence and predicted S-S bonds (indicated by straight lines) of the human lysozyme synthesized in the test tube. Table 1 shows the theoretical values and MS measured values for the trypsin-digested peptide fragments (associated with S-S bonds).

Fig. 2 shows part of the MS spectrum of the trypsin-digested peptide fragments.

Fig. 1 Amino Acid Sequence and Predicted S-S Bonds of the Synthesized Human Lysozyme

The m/z 3239.22 ion disappears due to reduction and alkylation of peptide fragment B, indicating that peptide 3 and peptide 4 form intramolecular S-S bonds (Fig. 2). The same method confirmed intramolecular S-S bonds in peptide fragment C. (Data omitted.)

Fig. 2 MS Spectrum of Recovered Peptide Fragments (m/z 3200 to m/z 3900)

Comparison of the reduction/alkylation and untreated MS spectra for peptide fragment A indicates that peptide 1 and peptide 2 form intramolecular S-S bonds. However, the combination with the cysteine residue cannot be determined from the results in Fig. 2 only.

To confirm this combination, the peptide 1 intramolecular S-S bonds were identified using LC to separate and purify peptide fragment A, digestion in another protease (thermolysin), and determination of the mass of the generated fragments (Fig. 3).