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Peptide Mass Fingerprinting definitions

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  • Peptide Mass Fingerprinting
    Technique using mass spectrometry spectra to identify proteins by matching unique peptide fragment patterns to database entries.
  • Mass Spectrometry
    Analytical method that measures mass-to-charge ratios of ionized molecules, generating spectra for protein identification.
  • Spectrum
    Graphical output from mass spectrometry showing the distribution of ionized fragments, serving as a protein's unique identifier.
  • Database
    Collection of stored protein spectra and sequences used for comparison and identification of unknown proteins.
  • Protein Fragmentation
    Process of breaking a protein into smaller peptide pieces, often using chemicals or proteases, for further analysis.
  • Ionization
    Conversion of protein fragments into charged particles, enabling their analysis by mass spectrometry.
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
    Sequential mass spectrometry technique that selects and fragments peptides, producing highly specific spectra for identification.
  • MSMS
    Abbreviation for tandem mass spectrometry, generating unique spectra from selected peptide fragments.
  • Peptide Fragment
    Short sequence derived from a protein after fragmentation, used as the basis for mass spectrometry analysis.
  • Protein Sequence
    Ordered arrangement of amino acids in a protein, linked to mass spectrometry spectra in databases for identification.
  • Protease
    Enzyme used to cleave proteins into smaller peptide fragments, facilitating mass spectrometry analysis.
  • Subunit
    Distinct structural component of a protein, identifiable through matched peptide fragment spectra.
  • Fingerprint
    Unique pattern of mass spectrometry peaks for a peptide fragment, analogous to a personal identifier in protein analysis.
  • Limitation
    Constraint in peptide mass fingerprinting where identification is only possible if the protein exists in the database.