02/04/2018
One of the biggest challenges in protein characterization with cross-linking/mass spectrometry is to find chemicals which can react at room temperature (or lower), physiological pH and without disturbing the protein native structure. Cross-linking chemistry has been limited to the availability of nucleophilic residues (especially Lysines) on the protein surface which reacts with NHS-based cross-linkers.
In our recent Analytical Chemistry publication, we show a new cross-linking chemistry which targets acidic residues by the use of commercially available diamines. Also, it can simultaneously form zero-length species. For this reason, it is named Xplex (after multiplex cross-linking chemistry). This new methodology finds immediate application in protein structure characterization.
10.1021/acs.analchem.7b05135