Title: Top-down proteomic identification of bacterial protein biomarkers and toxins using MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS/MS and post-source decay
Abstract: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) is a new tool for rapid identification of bacterial microorganisms. With the development of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF-TOF) instruments, new capabilities for characterizing bacteria and their protein biomarkers and toxins by top-down proteomic identification is now possible. A number of researchers have demonstrated top-down proteomic identification of nondigested proteins using MALDI-TOF-TOF platforms. The current review briefly discusses the use of MS instrumentation for bacterial identification and characterization as well as recent developments in the use of MALDI-TOF-TOF for top-down proteomic identification of protein biomarkers and toxins from unfractionated bacterial cell lysates. This approach provides great promise as a rapid method for identification and characterization of pathogenic microorganisms and their virulence factors.