PLink Characterizing the dynamic oligomerization of HSP90β using photo-cross-linking
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ABSTRACT: Cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) is a transformative tool for probing protein structures. While conventional chemical crosslinkers exhibit well-defined chemistry for specific residues, photo-crosslinkers, despite their superior reactivity, have been hindered by incomplete mechanistic understanding and a lack of analytical frameworks. Here, we demonstrate that diazirine-based photo-crosslinks are inherently MS-cleavable—a novel property but also complicates spectral interpretation for overlapping peptide backbone and crosslinker side-chain fragments. Leveraging diagnostic side-chain fragmentation fingerprints, we developed a machine learning model that significantly improves ion coverage and reduces false discovery rates when combined with existing search algorithms. Further, we designed a homo-bifunctional diazirine crosslinker that allows for true on-demand photo-crosslinking. Empowered, we captured transient tetrameric assemblies of human HSP90β and revealed structural transitions in association equilibrium upon heat stress—features inaccessible with conventional chemical crosslinking. Together, our work establishes a new paradigm of XL-MS, combining the temporal sensitivity and precision of photo-activation with analytical confidence.
INSTRUMENT(S):
ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)
SUBMITTER:
yida jiang
LAB HEAD: Chun Tang
PROVIDER: PXD066889 | Pride | 2026-04-09
REPOSITORIES: Pride
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