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MALDI-TOF based mutation detection using tagged in vitro synthesized peptides

Nature Biotechnology volume 18, pages 95–97 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) is a powerful method to quickly and accurately determine the masses of peptides1. Most genetic analyses, however, begin with PCR amplification of a test sequence to generate DNA, which is more difficult than peptides to analyze by MALDI-TOF2,3. We describe a method that produces a PCR product of any continuous region of coding sequence which can then be used to encode an N-terminally tagged test peptide in a coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction. The test peptide is purified using the tag, and its mass is measured by MALDI-TOF. Truncations and amino acid substitutions in peptides coded for by the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 were readily identified using this method. The process can be multiplexed and is amenable to automation, providing an efficient, high-throughput means for mutation discovery and genetic profiling.

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Figure 1
Figure 2: Spectra of peptides encoding BRCA1.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Paul Jeno, Urs Meyer, and Hanno Langen for providing logistical support in Basel.

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  1. Alex M. Garvin

    Present address: Department of Biochemistry, Biocentre, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland

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  1. PE Biosystems, 500 Old Connecticut Path , Framingham, 01701, MA

    Alex M. Garvin, Kenneth C. Parker & Larry Haff

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  1. Alex M. Garvin
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Correspondence to Alex M. Garvin.

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Garvin, A., Parker, K. & Haff, L. MALDI-TOF based mutation detection using tagged in vitro synthesized peptides. Nat Biotechnol 18, 95–97 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/72013

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