Native Mass Spectrometry: What is in the Name?

Area of Science:

• Biomolecular mass spectrometry
• Structural biology
• Proteomics

Background:

• Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) has advanced beyond molecular weight determination.
• Noncovalent protein-protein and protein-ligand complexes are now analyzable by MS.
• Maintaining native quaternary structure in the gas phase is crucial for analyzing assemblies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To redefine and trace the origins of the term "native MS."
• To clarify the scope and limitations of native MS.
• To showcase the application of native MS in structural biology and understanding structure-function relationships.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS).
• Focuses on preserving the native quaternary state of biomolecular assemblies in the gas phase.
• Employs advanced sample preparation and mass analyzers.

Main Results:

• Native MS has matured over two decades, becoming a key technique.
• It is widely used to study protein, DNA, and RNA-protein assemblies.
• Numerous studies demonstrate its success in addressing complex biological questions.

Conclusions:

• Native MS is a powerful tool for structural biology, enabling the study of intact biomolecular assemblies.
• The technique provides insights into structure-function relationships of complex biological systems.
• Clarifying the definition and scope of native MS is essential for its continued advancement and application.