Native ambient mass spectrometry of intact protein assemblies directly from Escherichia coli colonies

Here, we demonstrate that by combining electroporation with native ambient mass spectrometry, it is possible to detect intact non-covalent protein complexes directly from bacterial colonies growing on agar. Homodimers HdeA and HdeB were identified, together with the 50 kDa Mn-bound superoxide dismutase homodimer, in addition to some previously undetected monomeric proteins.

Automated summary

In this study, we demonstrated that intact non-covalent protein complexes can be directly detected from bacterial colonies growing on agar by combining electroporation with native ambient mass spectrometry. Homodimers HdeA and HdeB, as well as the 50 kDa Mn-bound superoxide dismutase homodimer, were identified, along with some previously undetected monomeric proteins.