Differential analyte derivatization enables unbiased MALDI-TOF-based high-throughput screening: A proof-of-concept study for the discovery of catechol-o-methyltransferase inhibitors

Recent advances in label-free high-throughput screening via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) offer unprecedented opportunities for the identification of novel chemical starting points in target-based drug discovery. A clear advantage of the technology is the possibility for label-free, direct quantification of analytes with high precision and robustness. Here we have expanded the range of analytes and biology that can be addressed via MALDI-TOF HTS, by developing a method based on post-reaction pyrylium-based derivatization to detect 3-methoxytyramine, the physiological enzyme product of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme. The introduction of pyrylium-type reagents as universal derivatization strategy under aqueous conditions for molecules containing primary amines represents a valuable addition to the toolbox of MALDI-TOF assay development. Characterization of COMT's enzymatic activity and inhibition by reference inhibitors, and comparison of the results obtained in our assay with data from previous mechanistic studies validated the performance of this new method. To address the problem of isobaric interference, a source of false results in MALDI-TOF assays measuring low molecular weight analytes, we devised a differential derivatization workflow which can potentially replace other counter- or orthogonal assays in future screening campaigns. Finally, we report on the first label-free HTS campaign for the identification of COMT inhibitors performed in miniaturized 1536-well microtiter plate format via MALDI-TOF MS analysis.

Automated summary

Recent advances in label-free high-throughput screening using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) have provided unprecedented opportunities for drug discovery. This technology allows for direct quantification of analytes with high precision and robustness. Researchers have developed a method to detect 3-methoxytyramine, a physiological enzyme product, by expanding the range of analytes that can be addressed via MALDI-TOF HTS. They have also devised a differential derivatization workflow to address the issue of isobaric interference in MALDI-TOF assays. Furthermore, they report on the first label-free HTS campaign for the identification of COMT inhibitors using MALDI-TOF-MS analysis in a miniaturized format.