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09:09
Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Peptidoglycan by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Bioinformatics
Published on: October 13, 2020
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Mass spectrometry-based studies of virus assembly
1Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS16 9DG, UK.
Current Opinion in Virology
|March 13, 2019
Summary
Mapping virus capsid assembly using native mass spectrometry reveals key intermediates and assembly dynamics. This molecular-level understanding may pave the way for novel antiviral therapies against viral diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Structural Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Virus capsid assembly involves precise protein monomer organization into complex architectures.
- Limited antiviral therapies necessitate novel therapeutic development strategies.
- Understanding virus assembly at the molecular level is crucial for drug discovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in native mass spectrometry for studying virus capsid assembly.
- To highlight the identification of key intermediates and the influence of external factors on assembly.
- To showcase the application of various mass spectrometry techniques in this field.
Main Methods:
- Native mass spectrometry (MS) for monitoring biomolecular assembly pathways.
- Ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) for separating and identifying assembly intermediates.
- Charge detection mass spectrometry (CD-MS) and gas-phase electrophoretic molecular analysis (GEMA) for large complex assemblies.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of multi-megadalton (MDa) mass measurements for intact viral capsids.
- Identification of transient protein intermediates during capsid formation.
- Analysis of how external parameters like pH and ionic strength affect capsid assembly.
Conclusions:
- Native MS is a powerful tool for dissecting virus capsid assembly mechanisms.
- Detailed molecular insights can guide the rational design of new antiviral drugs.
- Further application of advanced MS techniques will accelerate the discovery of antiviral strategies.
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