Emergence of mass spectrometry detergents for membrane proteomics

Detergents enable the investigation of membrane proteins by mass spectrometry. Detergent designers aim to improve underlying methodologies and are confronted with the challenge to design detergents with optimal solution and gas-phase properties. Herein, we review literature related to the optimization of detergent chemistry and handling and identify an emerging research direction: the optimization of mass spectrometry detergents for individual applications in mass spectrometry-based membrane proteomics. We provide an overview about qualitative design aspects including their relevance for the optimization of detergents in bottom-up proteomics, top-down proteomics, native mass spectrometry, and Nativeomics. In addition to established design aspects, such as charge, concentration, degradability, detergent removal, and detergent exchange, it becomes apparent that detergent heterogeneity is a promising key driver for innovation. We anticipate that rationalizing the role of detergent structures in membrane proteomics will serve as an enabling step for the analysis of challenging biological systems.

Automated summary

This article reviews the role of detergents in mass spectrometry for studying membrane proteins and highlights the importance of optimizing detergent chemistry and handling. It also introduces a new research direction: the optimization of mass spectrometry detergents for different applications in mass spectrometry-based membrane proteomics. The review focuses on qualitative design aspects, including their relevance in bottom-up proteomics, top-down proteomics, native mass spectrometry, and Nativeomics. In addition to established design aspects, such as charge, concentration, degradability, detergent removal, and exchange, detergent heterogeneity is identified as a promising driver for innovation. Rationalizing the role of detergent structures in membrane proteomics is expected to enable the analysis of challenging biological systems.