2 research outputs found
Mass Spectrometry-Guided Optimization and Characterization of a Biologically Active Transferrin–Lysozyme Model Drug Conjugate
Transferrin is a promising drug carrier
that has the potential
to deliver metals, small organic molecules and therapeutic proteins
to cancer cells and/or across physiological barriers (such as the
blood–brain barrier). Despite this promise, very few transferrin-based
therapeutics have been developed and reached clinical trials. This
modest success record can be explained by the complexity and heterogeneity
of protein conjugation products, which also pose great challenges
to their analytical characterization. In this work, we use lysozyme
conjugated to transferrin as a model therapeutic that targets the
central nervous system (where its bacteriostatic properties may be
exploited to control infection) and develop analytical protocols based
on electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to characterize its structure
and interactions with therapeutic targets and physiological partners
critical for its successful delivery. Mass spectrometry has already
become an indispensable tool facilitating all stages of the protein
drug development process, and this work demonstrates the enormous
potential of this technique in facilitating the development of a range
of therapeutically effective protein–drug conjugates
Constant-Distance Mode Nanospray Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Biological Samples with Complex Topography
A new
approach for constant-distance mode mass spectrometry imaging
(MSI) of biological samples using nanospray desorption electrospray
ionization (nano-DESI) was developed by integrating a shear-force
probe with the nano-DESI probe. The technical concept and basic instrumental
setup, as well as the general operation of the system are described.
Mechanical dampening of resonant oscillations due to the presence
of shear forces between the probe and the sample surface enabled the
constant-distance imaging mode via a computer-controlled closed-feedback
loop. The capability of simultaneous chemical and topographic imaging
of complex biological samples is demonstrated using living Bacillus subtilis ATCC 49760 colonies on agar plates.
The constant-distance mode nano-DESI MSI enabled imaging of many metabolites,
including nonribosomal peptides (surfactin, plipastatin, and iturin)
on the surface of living bacterial colonies, ranging in diameter from
10 to 13 mm, with height variations up to 0.8 mm above the agar plate.
Co-registration of ion images to topographic images provided higher-contrast
images. Based on this effort, constant-mode nano-DESI MSI proved to
be ideally suited for imaging biological samples of complex topography
in their native states