Development of Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry for the Study of Protein Redox Chemistry and Protein Structures

在化学系化学测量和成像（CMI）项目以及分子和细胞生物科学系分子生物物理项目的支持下，俄亥俄州大学的Hao Chen博士及其团队正在开发用于蛋白质化学基础研究的强大的新分析工具，其长期目标是探索活细胞和生物体中的蛋白质功能。该研究寻求快速阐明蛋白质结构的新方法，并深入了解涉及蛋白质的电化学反应机制。这项工作为本科生和研究生提供了研究机会，包括代表性不足的群体。陈博士还积极参与教育推广活动，包括为大学预科学生举办的ChemShows/Workshops/Seminars，以了解现代仪器分析并培养对科学研究的热情。在这个项目中，陈博士的团队将质谱（MS）和电化学（EC）技术结合起来，用于研究蛋白质的氧化还原反应。为蛋白质电化学反应产物和中间体的鉴定提供了有力的工具。一个特定的目标是将蛋白质中二硫键连接的快速和选择性切割（通过电还原）与MS分析相结合，以实现蛋白质测序和二硫键作图。这项工作也在探索生物分子的电子转移途径，以增加对细胞氧化应激和类似现象的理解。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging (CMI) program in the Division of Chemistry and the Molecular Biophysics Program from the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Dr. Hao Chen and his group at Ohio University are developing powerful new analytical tools for the fundamental study of protein chemistry, with long-term aims of probing protein functions in living cells and organisms. The study seeks new methods for rapid elucidation of protein structures and insights into the mechanisms of electrochemical reactions involving proteins. The work provides research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students, including members of underrepresented groups. Dr. Chen is also actively involved in educational outreach activities, including ChemShows/Workshops/Seminars for pre-college students to learn about modern instrumental analysis and to develop enthusiasm for scientific research. In this project, Dr. Chen's group is combining mass spectrometry (MS) and electrochemistry (EC) techniques for the study of protein redox reactions. The aim is a powerful tool for identification of the protein electrochemical reaction products and intermediates. One specific target is to combine fast and selective cleavage of disulfide bond linkages in a protein (via electroreduction) with MS analysis to enable protein sequencing and disulfide bond mapping. The work is also probing biomolecular electron transfer pathways for increased understanding of cellular oxidative stress and similar phenomena.