Ultraviolet Laser Induced Hydrogen Transfer Reaction: Study of the First Step of MALDI In-Source Decay Mass Spectrometry

in Journal of Physical Chemistry B (2013), 117(8), 2321-2327

The early mechanisms of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization in-source decay (MALDI-ISD) are described herein. MALDI-ISD is initiated by the hydrogen transfer from excited matrix molecules to the ... [more ▼]

The early mechanisms of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization in-source decay (MALDI-ISD) are described herein. MALDI-ISD is initiated by the hydrogen transfer from excited matrix molecules to the carbonyl oxygen of the peptide backbone, which is followed by a radical-induced cleavage, producing the c′/z• fragment pair. As expected, the use of 2,5-DHB or 1,5-DAN was efficient to induce MALDI-ISD, and the strongest intensity of MALDI-ISD fragments was observed when laser shots were performed on matrix crystals. In contrast, the hydrogen radical transfer reaction was suppressed by using ionic liquid and amorphous structure of 2,5-DHB and 1,5-DAN mixture as a matrix. Our results suggest that the hydrogen transfer occurs on the matrix crystal during the dissipation of the laser energy and before desorption, following ISD fragments formed in the MALDI plume. [less ▲]

Tubulin isoforms identified in the brain by MALDI in-source decay

in Journal of Proteomics (2012)

Identification of biomarkers is a major issue for enhancement of chemotherapies. The molecular characterization of tissues necessitates the identification of thousands of biomolecules each participating ... [more ▼]

Identification of biomarkers is a major issue for enhancement of chemotherapies. The molecular characterization of tissues necessitates the identification of thousands of biomolecules each participating in physiopathological processes. MALDI in-source decay (ISD) fragmentation has already been proven to be effective for protein characterization. However, the difficulty to identify proteins from complex mixtures such as tissue sections can limit the applications of this technique. In this study, we evidenced that tubulin has an unusual fragmentation pathway in the MALDI source. This striking property allowed the detecting of several mouse brain tubulin isotypes simultaneously by simply using laser fragmentation. Tubulin isoforms are consistent markers of a bad prognosis of solid tumors and could be the target of targeted chemotherapies. Such a direct molecular printout of tubulin in tissues is a milestone that should be useful either at preclinical or clinical stage. [less ▲]

Quantitative proteomic analysis to decipher the differential apoptotic response of bortezomib-treated APL cells before and after retinoic acid differentiation reveals involvement of protein toxicity mechanisms.

in Proteomics (2012)

The ubiquitin-proteasome system allows the targeted degradation of proteins and plays a critical role in the regulation of many cellular processes. Proteasome inhibition is a recent antitumor therapeutic ... [more ▼]

The ubiquitin-proteasome system allows the targeted degradation of proteins and plays a critical role in the regulation of many cellular processes. Proteasome inhibition is a recent antitumor therapeutic strategy and bortezomib was the first proteasome inhibitor approved for clinical use. In this study, we used the NB4 cell line to investigate the effects of bortezomib toward acute promyelocytic leukemia cells before and after retinoic acid-induced differentiation. We showed that apoptosis level after bortezomib treatment is higher in NB4 cells than in differentiated NB4 cells. To compare early protein variations upon bortezomib treatment in both NB4 cell populations, we performed a quantitative proteomic analysis based on iTRAQ peptide labeling followed by data analysis with in-house developed scripts. This strategy revealed the regulation of 14 proteins principally involved in protein stress response and apoptosis in NB4 cells after proteasome inhibition. Altogether, our results suggest that the differential level of apoptosis induced by bortezomib treatment in both NB4 cell populations could result from distinct protein toxicity level. [less ▲]

Determination of the molecular players of adaptation to anti-angiogenic therapy in breast cancer by quantitative proteomic and high molecular MALDI Imaging.

Poster (2012, October 13)

Breast carcinoma is the most common and second leading cause of cancer mortality in women. The recognition of the “angiogenic switch” as a rate-limiting secondary step in tumorigenesis led to extensive ... [more ▼]

Breast carcinoma is the most common and second leading cause of cancer mortality in women. The recognition of the “angiogenic switch” as a rate-limiting secondary step in tumorigenesis led to extensive pre-clinical researches on angiogenesis and finally the approval of VEGF-neutralizing antibodies (bevacizumab) and VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKs:Sunitinib). The Sunitinib has been used clinically in patients with breast cancer refractory to other therapeutic agents. Unfortunately, like the cytotoxic therapies, these drugs do not produce lasting effects and resistance to treatment appeared clinically. Questions have emerged about the failure of anti-angiogenic therapy in clinic and the limitations of predictive preclinical models, and also about the molecular assessment of all stages of tumor adaptation and me<x>tastatic disease. To this end, we applied quantitative proteomics and imaging mass spectrometry tools to visualize and study the profiles of proteins and small molecules associated with tumor treated or not with Sunitinib using a novel preclinical model of breast carcinoma cells. In this project, we first developed a reproducible model of resistance to Sunitinib of human triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells expressing luciferase gene. Cells were subcutaneously injected into mice RAG1-/- and divided into four experimental groups including, control mice treated with vehicle or Sunitinib for 30 days and sacrificed 1 days after treatment withdrawal or when tumor reached a volume of 300 mm3. In the second step. Tumors were analyzed using a nanoAcquity UPLC Synapt TM HDMS TM G1 (Waters, Manchester,UK) and Mass Spectrometry Imaging. For quantitative proteomic analyses of tumors, a bioinformatics analysis was used with the Protein lynx global server 2.2.5 software. Imaging mass spectrometry was performed on tissue sections of tumors and organs subsequently colonized by me<x>tastases. Matrix sublimation was used to coat tumor sections (14 µm-tick) with 1.5 Diaminonaphthalene for lipids analysis and Sinapinic acid for entire proteins analysis. Ion cartographies were recorded with a Solarix 9.4T FTMS instrument for lipids and with an Ultraflex II TOF-TOF instrument for entire proteins (Bruker Daltonics, Germany) with a spatial resolution of 100 µm. Global protemic revealed different protein profiles between tumor treated or not with Sunitinib. The Mass Spectrometry Imaging detected differences in intensity and location of some proteins and lipids are also associated with some histological features including inflammatory, necrotic and angiogenic areas. Bioinformatics analysis will be applied to ensure the integration of all data in order to provide the basis for identifying molecular pathways activated during the acquisition of refractoriness to drug treatments. [less ▲]

Study  of  breast  cancer  adaptation  to  anti-­angiogenic  therapies  by   molecular  imaging  on  tissue  slides

Conference (2012, September 04)

Breast   carcinoma   is   the   most   common   and   second   leading   cause   of   cancer   mortality   in   women1.   The   ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣ ␣␣␣␣-­‐limiting   ... [more ▼]

Breast   carcinoma   is   the   most   common   and   second   leading   cause   of   cancer   mortality   in   women1.   The   ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣ ␣␣␣␣-­‐limiting   secondary   step   in   tumorigenesis   led   to   extensive   pre-­‐clinical   researches   on   angiogenesis   and   finally   the   approval   of   VEGF-­‐neutralizing   antibodies   (bevacizumab)  and  VEGF  receptor  tyrosine  kinase  inhibitors  (RTKs:sunitinib).  The  Sunitinib  has  been  used   clinically   in   patients   with   breast   cancer   refractory   to   other   therapeutic   agents2.   Unfortunately,   like   the   cytotoxic   therapies,   these   drugs   do   not   produce   lasting   effects   and   resistance   to   treatment   appeared   clinically3.   Recently,   independent   laboratories   have   reported   experimental   data   demonstrating   that   anti-­‐ angiogenic   treatments   inhibit   tumor   growth,   but   also   stimulate   the   formation   of   lung   metastases   after   treatment   discontinuation4.   The   field   of   imaging   mass   spectrometry   provides   new   tools   to   visualize   and   study  the  profiles  of  proteins  and  small  molecules  associated  with  biomedical  problems5.   To  this  aim,  we  conducted  a  series  of  experiments  to  setup  a  reproductible  model  of  resistance  to  sunitinib.   The   cells   MDA-­‐MB-­‐231   triple   negative,   from   human   breast   cancer   and   expressing   luciferase   are   injected   subcutaneously  into  mice  RAG1-­‐/-­‐.  The  mice  were  divided  into  four  experimental  groups  including,  on  the   one  hand,  control  mice  treated  with  placebo  (Carboxymethyl  cellulose,  CMC)  sacrificed  on  day  30  (group  1)   or  when  the  tumor  reached  a  volume  of  300  mm3  (group  2).    On  the  other  hand,  Sunitinib-­‐treated  mice  (LC   Laboratories,   40mg/kg/day),   sacrificed   at   day   30   (group   3),   or   when   the   tumor   reached   a   volume   of   300   mm3  (group  4).  MALDI  mass  spectrometry  imaging  was  performed  on  tissue  sections  of  tumors  and  organs   subsequently   colonized   by   metastases.   Matrix   sublimation   was   used   to   coat   tumor   sections   (14   μm-­‐tick)   with   1.5   Diaminonaphthalene   (1.5   DAN)   for   lipids   analysis   and   Sinapinic   acid   (SA)   for   entire   proteins   analysis.   Ion   cartographies   were   recorded   with   a   Solarix9.4T   FTMS   instrument   for   lipids   and   with   an   Ultraflex   II   TOF-­‐TOF   instrument   for   entire   proteins   (BrukerDaltonics,   Bremen,   Germany)   with   a   spatial   resolution  of  100  μm.     The  analysis  of  differential  protein/lipid  profiles  with  high  mass  accuracy  and  broadband  resolution  allows   detection   of   intense   signals   from   lipid   families   such   as   Phosphatidylcholine   (PC),   Triglyceride   (TAG),   Sphingomyelin   (SM)   and   precise   lipid   droplets   or   tumor   cells   differentiated   location   in   the   Sunitinib   resistant   tumor   cells   compared   to   control   cells.The   protein   profiles   of   the   4   groups   of   mice   show   differences   in   intensity   and   location,   enabling   a   correlation   to   inflammatory   (highlighted   by   histological   staining)  and  angiogenic  phenomenon.   [less ▲]

Molecular imaging through in combinaison with quantitative proteomic approaches unraveling the molecular players of breast cancer adaptation to anti-angiogenic therapy.

Poster (2012, June 22)

Breast carcinoma is the most common and second leading cause of cancer mortality in women. The recognition of the “angiogenic switch” as a rate-limiting secondary step in tumorigenesis led to extensive ... [more ▼]

Breast carcinoma is the most common and second leading cause of cancer mortality in women. The recognition of the “angiogenic switch” as a rate-limiting secondary step in tumorigenesis led to extensive pre-clinical researches on angiogenesis and finally the approval of VEGF-neutralizing antibodies (bevacizumab) and VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKs:Sunitinib). The Sunitinib has been used clinically in patients with breast cancer refractory to other therapeutic agents. Unfortunately, like the cytotoxic therapies, these drugs do not produce lasting effects and resistance to treatment appeared clinically. Questions have emerged about the failure of anti-angiogenic therapy in clinic and the limitations of predictive preclinical models, and also about the molecular assessment of all stages of tumor adaptation and metastatic disease. To this end, we applied quantitative proteomics and imaging mass spectrometry tools to visualize and study the profiles of proteins and small molecules associated with tumor treated or not with Sunitinib using a novel preclinical model of breast carcinoma cells. In this project, we first developed a reproducible model of resistance to Sunitinib of human triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells expressing luciferase gene. Cells were subcutaneously injected into mice RAG1-/- and divided into four experimental groups including, control mice treated with vehicle or Sunitinib for 30 days and sacrificed 1 days after treatment withdrawal or when tumor reached a volume of 300 mm3. In the second step. Tumors were analyzed using a nanoAcquity UPLC Synapt TM HDMS TM G1 (Waters, Manchester,UK) and Mass Spectrometry Imaging. For quantitative proteomic analyses of tumors, a bioinformatics analysis was used with the Protein lynx global server 2.2.5 software. Imaging mass spectrometry was performed on tissue sections of tumors and organs subsequently colonized by metastases. Matrix sublimation was used to coat tumor sections (14 µm-tick) with 1.5 Diaminonaphthalene for lipids analysis and Sinapinic acid for entire proteins analysis. Ion cartographies were recorded with a Solarix 9.4T FTMS instrument for lipids and with an Ultraflex II TOF-TOF instrument for entire proteins (Bruker Daltonics, Germany) with a spatial resolution of 100 µm. Global protemic revealed different protein profiles between tumor treated or not with Sunitinib. The Mass Spectrometry Imaging detected differences in intensity and location of some proteins and lipids are also associated with some histological features including inflammatory, necrotic and angiogenic areas. Bioinformatics analysis will be applied to ensure the integration of all data in order to provide the basis for identifying molecular pathways activated during the acquisition of refractoriness to drug treatments. [less ▲]

In situ protein identification in imaging mass spectrometry

Scientific conference (2012, May 04)

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is an emerging tool for clinical research. MALDI MSI can be used to elucidate the relative abundance and spatial ... [more ▼]

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is an emerging tool for clinical research. MALDI MSI can be used to elucidate the relative abundance and spatial localization of peptides and proteins throughout a tissue section. For this, a matrix is applied on the tissue in either a spotted array or a homogenous coating. Acquisition of mass spectra is then carried out by performing a raster with a laser across the tissue section in a defined pattern. The spectra acquired from each position on the tissue section contain molecular weight and intensity information representative of the biomolecules at that position. One can plot the intensity of any measured ion as a function of individual pixel locations to generate m/z specific images. But, if protein desorption/ionization and subsequent MS analyses provides a measurement of molecular weight, no protein identification is performed. To achieve this, several methods have been developed. In this talk, I will first present the methods inspired by classical proteomics techniques that are regularly used to identify proteins. Bottom-up and top-down approaches have been used directly from a tissue slice, leading to the identification of some of the most abundant proteins present within the tissue slice. Then, I will present the new developments led in our lab for imaging and especially for in situ protein identification. The first example will deal with the exceptional features of FT-ICR mass spectrometry for in-source decay (ISD)-based protein identification. The benefit of mass accuracy and high mass resolution allow unequivocal assignment of ISD fragments of proteins, in the low mass range (m/z between 400 and 900), whether from pure solutions or from tissue slices. The next example is the use of a matrix “cleaning” software that reduce/remove matrix peaks thus facilitating ISD spectra analyses. Finally, proteins identification by localization and MALDI-ISD profile matching will also be a really simplistic and interesting method that will complement the immunohistological techniques commonly used to validate expression of known biomarkers within diseased tissues. [less ▲]

New Advances for In Situ Protein Identification by MALDI In-Source Decay FTMS Imaging

Poster (2012, April 18)

MALDI imaging mass spectrometry has proven to be effective for the discovery and the monitoring of disease-related proteins. With this technique a molecular analysis could be performed directly from ... [more ▼]

MALDI imaging mass spectrometry has proven to be effective for the discovery and the monitoring of disease-related proteins. With this technique a molecular analysis could be performed directly from tissue sections in the region of the diseased area. The use of in-source decay (ISD), allowing fast and reliable sequences assignments of proteins termini, has proven to be a crucial tool for proteins identification in solution and tissue slices. However, it is necessary to develop additional tools that allow unambiguous assignment of proteins sequences in complex tissue slices. The development of bioinformatic tools and the use of ultra-high mass resolution and high mass accuracy of Fourier transform ion-cyclotron (FTICR) mass spectrometry are ideal for this purpose. In this study, we show that FTICR mass spectrometry combined with data filtering with a software that subtracts matrix peaks aid protein identification. All measurements were carried out on a SolariX FTMS (9.4 Tesla) equipped with a Dual Source with a smartbeamTMII laser (Bruker Daltonics). Mouse brain tissue slices of 14 µm thickness were rinsed to obtain optimal sensitivity and high-quality ions. Before matrix application, a spot of myelin was deposited near mouse brain. 1,5-Diaminionaphtalene was sprayed using an ImagePrep (Bruker Daltonics). Results were interpreted using BioToolsTM 3.2 in combination with MascotTM (Matrix Science) for ISD spectra and FlexImagingTM 3.0 for MALDI-ISD imaging experiments. Matrix peaks were subtracted using an in-house written Java code that sequentially scans all peak lists from acquired spectra against the DAN mass list. Then, another Java code allows to create 2D ion images at selected m/z ratios. The studies were carried out by MALDI-ISD imaging to create interest on FTICR mass spectrometer for proteins identification in the field of biomarkers characterization. It is demonstrated that protein ISD leads to the same pattern of fragmentation observed during MALDI-TOF analyzes. Fragmentation generates cn- and zn-series ions of myelin in presence of DAN. The internal calibration of all the data provides a mass accuracy neighboring 2.5 ppm over the m/z range of interest (300-2500 Da) and a mass resolution of 70000 at m/z 400 Da. It allows the assignment of ISD fragments of proteins in the low mass range (m/z between 300 and 900) that is unambiguously validated by the “ISD signal” recorded from the spots of pure protein solution (myelin) near tissue slice. Moreover, the use of our software “cleans” MS imaging data by reducing/eliminating MALDI matrix peaks that are isobaric to an analyte peak. Novel aspect This study evidences the main input of FTICR mass spectrometer for pathologies diagnosis based on biomarkers localization and identification by MALDI-ISD imaging. [less ▲]

Tyrosine-dependent capture of CAP-Gly domain‐containing proteins in complex mixture by EB1 C-terminal peptidic probes

in Journal of Proteomics (2012), 75

Microtubule dynamics is regulated by an array of microtubule associated proteins of which the microtubule plus-end tracking proteins (+TIPs) are prominent examples. +TIPs form dynamic interaction networks ... [more ▼]

Microtubule dynamics is regulated by an array of microtubule associated proteins of which the microtubule plus-end tracking proteins (+TIPs) are prominent examples. +TIPs form dynamic interaction networks at growing microtubule ends in an EB1-dependent manner. The interaction between the C-terminal domain of EB1 and the CAP-Gly domains of the +TIP CLIP-170 depends on the last tyrosine residue of EB1. In the present study, we generated peptidic probes corresponding to the C-terminal tail of EB1 to affinity-capture binding partners from cell lysates. Using an MS-based approach, we showed that the last 15 amino-acid residues of EB1, either free or immobilized on beads, bound recombinant CAP-Gly domains of CLIP-170. We further demonstrate that this binding was prevented when the C-terminal tyrosine of EB1 was absent in the peptidic probes. Western blotting in combination with a label-free quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that the peptidic probe harboring the C-terminal tyrosine of EB1 effectively pulled-down proteins with CAP-Gly domains from endothelial cell extracts. Additional proteins known to interact directly or indirectly with EB1 and the microtubule cytoskeletonwere also identified. Our peptidic probes represent valuable tools to detect changes induced in EB1-dependent +TIP networks by external cues such as growth factors and small molecules. [less ▲]

Chemical inhibitors: the challenge of finding the right target.

in Chemistry & Biology (2011), 18(5), 555-557

A paper in this issue of Chemistry & Biology shows that the diaryl oxazole compound UA62784 that targets pancreatic cancer cells interacts with tubulin near the colchicine binding site (Tcherniuk et al ... [more ▼]

A paper in this issue of Chemistry & Biology shows that the diaryl oxazole compound UA62784 that targets pancreatic cancer cells interacts with tubulin near the colchicine binding site (Tcherniuk et al., 2011). These findings differ from previous observations, highlighting the challenges of identifying the biological target for chemical inhibitors. [less ▲]