Microcolumn capture and digestion of proteins combined with mass spectrometry for protein identification

A procedure has been developed for protein identification using mass spectrometry (MS) that incorporates sample cleanup, preconcentration, and protein digestion in a single-stage system. The procedure involves the adsorption of a protein, or protein mixture, from solution onto a hydrophobic resin that is contained within a microcolumn. Sample loading is accomplished by flowing the protein solution through the microcolumn, where the protein adsorbs to the hydrophobic surface. The protein is digested while still bound to the hydrophobic surface by flowing a buffered trypsin solution through the column bed. The peptide fragments are subsequently eluted for detection by MALDI or ESI-MS. The procedure is demonstrated using dilute protein samples containing high concentrations of salt, urea, and modest amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate relative to protein. Peptide fragments are also detected by MS from a 500 nM bacteriorhodopsin solution digested in a microcolumn. In this case, a combined cyanogen bromide/trypsin digestion was performed in-column. The procedure is applied to the MALDI-MS/MS identification of proteins present in an individual fraction collected by ion exchange HPLC separation of E. coli total cell extract. An additional application is illustrated in the analysis of a human plasma fraction. A total of 14 proteins, which were present in the sample at sub-micromolar concentrations, were identified from ESI-MS/MS. The microcolumn digestion procedure represents the next step toward a system for fully automated protein analysis through capture and digestion of the adsorbed protein on hydrophobic surfaces.