Identification, localization, and relative quantitation of pseudouridine in RNA by tandem mass spectrometry of hydrolysis products.

ABSTRACT: The constitutional isomers uridine (U) and pseudouridine (Ψ) cannot be distinguished from each other by simple mass measurements of RNA or its fragments because the conversion of U into Ψ is a "mass-silent" post-transcriptional modification. Here we propose a new mass spectrometry based method for identification, localization, and relative quantitation of Ψ in RNA consisting of ∼20 nucleotides that does not require chemical labeling. Our approach takes advantage of the different fragmentation behavior of uridine (N-glycosidic bond) and pseudouridine (C-glycosidic bond) residues in RNA upon collisionally activated dissociation.

SUBMITTER: Taucher M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3180913 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature