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Yuan Gao Master Thesis.pdf (1.81 MB)

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Characterization of polymers and supramolecular protein-polymer bioconjugates using mass spectrometry

Gao, Yuan
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9691-1869
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1619735971168192

Abstract Details

2021, Master of Science, University of Akron, Polymer Science.
Mass spectrometry (MS) is increasingly used for the characterization of polymers and supramolecular protein-polymer bioconjugates; especially after the introduction of soft ionization methods such as electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). Regular MS measures molecular weight information by detecting the mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio. However, if analyzing the structure of a complicated molecule such as a protein-polymer bioconjugate, information besides the molecular mass is necessary. Tandem MS (MS/MS), which involves isolation and fragmentation of a precursor ion, is widely used to gain more detailed structural information. MALDI-MS is a powerful technique for the analysis of polymers. One of the most important steps for MALDI analysis is sample preparation. MALDI sample preparation aims of producing densely packed microcrystals that improve mass accuracy, resolution, and shot-to-shot reproducibility as compared to large crystals. This thesis compared three common sample preparation methods for MALDI analysis: Dried droplet, solvent-free MALDI (SF-MALDI), and surface-layer MALDI (SL-MALDI). Additionally, ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS were used to characterize supramolecular protein-polymer bioconjugates. Acidic polymers such as poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) were used to form non-covalent complexes with ubiquitin, a protein with many basic amino acid binding sites. Based on studies with simple peptides, MS/MS fragmentation of the ubiquitin complexes should cause cleavages in the protein backbone but preserve the non-covalent interaction. This study will apply a method to determine the attachment site of the polymer, which would reveal the surface-accessible basic amino acid residues and the higher-order structure of ubiquitin.
Chrys Wesdemiotis (Advisor)
Toshikazu Miyoshi (Committee Member)
66 p.
Polymers
Mass Spectrometry; Polymer; Protein-Polymer Bioconjugates

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Citations

  • Gao, Y. (2021). Characterization of polymers and supramolecular protein-polymer bioconjugates using mass spectrometry [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1619735971168192

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gao, Yuan. Characterization of polymers and supramolecular protein-polymer bioconjugates using mass spectrometry. 2021. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1619735971168192.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gao, Yuan. "Characterization of polymers and supramolecular protein-polymer bioconjugates using mass spectrometry." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1619735971168192

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1619735971168192
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This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.