Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Fast Enzymatic Processing of Proteins for MS Detection with a Flow-through Microreactor
Published on: April 6, 2016
Contemporary mass spectrometry for the direct detection of enzyme intermediates
Neil L Kelleher1, Leslie M Hicks
1Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. kelleher@scs.uiuc.edu
Abstract:
The field of enzymology has long used small-molecule mass spectrometry. However, the direct interrogation of covalent and non-covalent intermediates by large-molecule mass spectrometry of enzymes or large peptide substrates is illuminating an increasingly diverse array of chemistries used in nature. Recent advances now allow improved detection of several modifications formed at sub-stoichiometric levels on the same polypeptide, and elucidation of intermediate dynamics with low millisecond temporal resolution. Highlighting recent applications in both ribosomal and non-ribosomal biosynthesis of natural products, along with acetyl transferases, sulfonucleotide reducatases, and PEP-utilizing enzymes, the utility of small- and large-molecule mass spectrometry to reveal enzyme intermediates and illuminate mechanism is described briefly. From ever more complex mixtures, mass spectrometry continues to evolve into a key technology for a larger number of today's enzymologists.
More Related Videos
12:11Simultaneous Affinity Enrichment of Two Post-Translational Modifications for Quantification and Site Localization
Published on: February 27, 2020
10:01Combining Chemical Cross-linking and Mass Spectrometry of Intact Protein Complexes to Study the Architecture of Multi-subunit Protein Assemblies
Published on: November 28, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
Mass Spectrometers
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Types of Detectors
Peptide Identification Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry
This technique helps gather information regarding the protein from which the peptide was obtained and to study the peptides’ amino acid sequence. Identifying peptides from a complex mixture is an important component of the growing field of...