Efficient analysis of very large amounts of raw data for peptide identification and protein quantification is a principal challenge in mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics. Here we describe MaxQuant, an integrated suite of algorithms specifically developed for high-resolution, quantitative MS data. Using correlation analysis and graph theory, MaxQuant detects peaks, isotope clusters and stable amino acid isotope-labeled (SILAC) peptide pairs as three-dimensional objects in m/z, elution time and signal intensity space. By integrating multiple mass measurements and correcting for linear and nonlinear mass offsets, we achieve mass accuracy in the p.p.b. range, a sixfold increase over standard techniques. We increase the proportion of identified fragmentation spectra to 73% for SILAC peptide pairs via unambiguous assignment of isotope and missed-cleavage state and individual mass precision. MaxQuant automatically quantifies several hundred thousand peptides per SILAC-proteome experiment and allows statistically robust identification and quantification of >4,000 proteins in mammalian cell lysates.

MaxQuant enables high peptide identification rates, individualized p.p.b.-range mass accuracies and proteome-wide protein quantification.

A method, filter-aided sample preparation (FASP) combines the advantages of in-gel and in-solution digestion for mass spectrometry–based proteomics, allowing deeper proteomic coverage in a shorter analysis time, using small sample amounts. We describe a method, filter-aided sample preparation (FASP), which combines the advantages of in-gel and in-solution digestion for mass spectrometry–based proteomics. We completely solubilized the proteome in sodium dodecyl sulfate, which we then exchanged by urea on a standard filtration device. Peptides eluted after digestion on the filter were pure, allowing single-run analyses of organelles and an unprecedented depth of proteome coverage.

http://wolfson.huji.ac.il/purification/PDF/Literature/Wisniewski2009.pdf

Universal sample preparation method for proteome analysis

A main bottleneck in proteomics is the downstream biological analysis of highly multivariate quantitative protein abundance data generated using mass-spectrometry-based analysis. We developed the Perseus software platform (http://www.perseus-framework.org) to support biological and biomedical researchers in interpreting protein quantification, interaction and post-translational modification data. Perseus contains a comprehensive portfolio of statistical tools for high-dimensional omics data analysis covering normalization, pattern recognition, time-series analysis, cross-omics comparisons and multiple-hypothesis testing. A machine learning module supports the classification and validation of patient groups for diagnosis and prognosis, and it also detects predictive protein signatures. Central to Perseus is a user-friendly, interactive workflow environment that provides complete documentation of computational methods used in a publication. All activities in Perseus are realized as plugins, and users can extend the software by programming their own, which can be shared through a plugin store. We anticipate that Perseus's arsenal of algorithms and its intuitive usability will empower interdisciplinary analysis of complex large data sets.

/pdf/the-perseus-computational-platform-for-comprehensive-5a4p3g7pp4.pdf

The Perseus computational platform for comprehensive analysis of (prote)omics data.

A key step in mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics is the identification of peptides in sequence databases by their fragmentation spectra. Here we describe Andromeda, a novel peptide search engine using a probabilistic scoring model. On proteome data, Andromeda performs as well as Mascot, a widely used commercial search engine, as judged by sensitivity and specificity analysis based on target decoy searches. Furthermore, it can handle data with arbitrarily high fragment mass accuracy, is able to assign and score complex patterns of post-translational modifications, such as highly phosphorylated peptides, and accommodates extremely large databases. The algorithms of Andromeda are provided. Andromeda can function independently or as an integrated search engine of the widely used MaxQuant computational proteomics platform and both are freely available at www.maxquant.org. The combination enables analysis of large data sets in a simple analysis workflow on a desktop computer. For searching individual spect...

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1021/pr101065j?src=recsys

Andromeda: a peptide search engine integrated into the MaxQuant environment

Lysine acetylation is a reversible posttranslational modification of proteins and plays a key role in regulating gene expression. Technological limitations have so far prevented a global analysis of lysine acetylation's cellular roles. We used high-resolution mass spectrometry to identify 3600 lysine acetylation sites on 1750 proteins and quantified acetylation changes in response to the deacetylase inhibitors suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid and MS-275. Lysine acetylation preferentially targets large macromolecular complexes involved in diverse cellular processes, such as chromatin remodeling, cell cycle, splicing, nuclear transport, and actin nucleation. Acetylation impaired phosphorylation-dependent interactions of 14-3-3 and regulated the yeast cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc28. Our data demonstrate that the regulatory scope of lysine acetylation is broad and comparable with that of other major posttranslational modifications.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/suppl/2009/07/16/1175371.DC1/Choudhary-SOM.pdf

Lysine Acetylation Targets Protein Complexes and Co-Regulates Major Cellular Functions

A recent paper in Science by Li et al. 20111 reports widespread sequence differences in the human transcriptome between RNAs and their encoding genes termed RNA-DNA differences (RDDs). The findings could add a new layer of complexity to gene expression but the study has been criticized.

/pdf/rna-dna-sequence-differences-spell-genetic-code-ambiguities-ody2oph3ay.pdf

RNA-DNA sequence differences spell genetic code ambiguities.

Citrullination is the conversion of peptidyl-arginine into the non-coded amino acid citrulline. Despite its importance in physiology and disease, global identification of citrullinated proteins and precise modification sites has remained challenging. Here, we employed quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to generate a comprehensive atlas of citrullination sites in a physiologically relevant cell type. Collectively, we identified 14.056 citrullination sites within 4.008 proteins and quantified their regulation upon inhibition of the citrullinating enzyme PADI4. Using this rich dataset, we uncover general mechanistic and cell biological principles of citrullination function, while providing site-specific and quantitative information on thousands of PAD4 substrates within cells. Our findings include signature histone marks and numerous modifications on transcriptional regulators and chromatin-related signaling effectors. Additionally, we identify precise citrullination sites on an extensive list of known autoantigens. Collectively, we describe systems attributes of the human citrullinome and provide a resource framework for understanding citrullinaiton at the mechanistic level.

A quantitative and site-specific atlas of the in vivo citrullinome reveals widespread existence of citrullination

Characterizing ADP-Ribosylation Sites Using Af1521 Enrichment Coupled to ETD-Based Mass Spectrometry.

http://www.cell.com/article/S2211124723003911/pdf

Transient suppression of SUMOylation in embryonic stem cells generates embryo-like structures

This Podcast features an interview with Michael Nielsen, author of a Research Resource that appears in the 30 August 2016 issue of Science Signaling , about the human arginine methylome. Proteins can be posttranslationally modified by the covalent attachment of methyl groups to arginine or lysine residues. Whereas lysine methylation of histone proteins is important for controlling chromatin dynamics and has been extensively characterized, less is known about arginine methylation. Larsen et al . cataloged arginine methylation sites in the human proteome and found that proteins involved in diverse cellular processes were methylated. Arginine methylation sites colocalized with phosphorylation sites and were hotspots for mutations associated with disease. Arginine methylation was particularly prominent in RNA-binding proteins, and different arginine methyltransferases targeted distinct sets of substrates to control the localization or function of these target proteins. Further analysis and application of this data set will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the extent, function, and regulation of protein arginine methylation. Listen to Podcast

Michael L. Nielsen

Papers

RNA-DNA sequence differences spell genetic code ambiguities.

A quantitative and site-specific atlas of the in vivo citrullinome reveals widespread existence of citrullination

Characterizing ADP-Ribosylation Sites Using Af1521 Enrichment Coupled to ETD-Based Mass Spectrometry.

Transient suppression of SUMOylation in embryonic stem cells generates embryo-like structures

Science Signaling Podcast for 30 August 2016: Human arginine methylome