Epitope Mapping Services by HDX-MS
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Why Choose CovalX’s Epitope Mapping Services by HDX-MS?
CovalX offers unique expertise in the field of Epitope Mapping services by Hydrogen Deuterium eXchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX-MS) based on more than a decade of specialization in mass spec characterization of protein interaction and protein complexes. CovalX unique technologies provide reliable results on a scheduled timeframe.
HDXMS CovalX epitope mapping service by HDX-MS allows linear and conformational epitope characterization with high resolution and highest success rate. CovalX is using the latest mass spectrometry equipment, HDX-MS automation robotics and software to rapidly characterize the binding sites using HDX-MS. Additionally, CovalX includes in all analysis an advanced intact analysis of the intact proteins and complexes (something unique to CovalX) to provide the highest rate of success for mapping projects, Finally, CovalX has technicians with combined decades of experience in optimizing and understanding HDX-MS workflows.
Why is CovalX’s Epitope Mapping Services the Best Option?
CovalX offers two techniques for conformational epitope mapping by mass spectrometry: Hydrogen Deuterium eXchange (HDX-MS) and Crosslinking Mass Spectrometry (XL-MS). Each of these technologies provides unique advantages.
| Technique | Experienced epitope mapping team servicing the industry for more than 15 years. |
|---|---|
| Expertise | Sample handling is conducted using the latest automation robotics |
| Quality Work | Unique initial intact screening of proteins (and protein complexes) by high mass MALDI provides the most reliable rate of success. |
| Efficient processing is conducted using its design of experiment (DOE) software. | |
| Affordable | Competitive cost compared with other technologies |
| Low Sample Consumption | Only 400μg of each antigen/antibody required |
| Fast Turnaround | 5-6 weeks (or less with RUSH) delivery time depending on the size of the project |
CovalX Epitope Mapping by HDX-MS Step by Step
HDX-MS has been utilized on a research scale for many years at the academic level and within larger pharmaceutical companies. More recently, with the advancement of automated robotics, sample handling, and data analysis software, HDX-MS can now be offered on a timescale and with sample consumptions reasonable for more mainstream analysis.
This technique provides low cost, lower sample consumption and quick turnaround times when compared with other conformational epitopes mapping techniques.
Moreover, CovalX first screens the intact proteins by high mass MALDI to ensure that no aggregation or target multimerization will affect the quality of the final results.
Step 1: Initial Sample Screening
Before the high-resolution analysis of the epitope begins, CovalX first performs High-Mass MALDI analysis on the intact antibody and antigen. This initial screening utilizes CovalX exclusive High-Mass MALDI detections systems to ensure that the HDX experiment is performed on characterized and controlled proteins.
This analysis is unique to CovalX services. The goal of this analysis is to verify:
- The integrity of both the antibody and the antigen
- The possible aggregation of the antibody
- The possible multimerization of the antigen
Step 2: Hydrogen Deuterium eXchange (HDX-MS)
When diluted in heavy water (D2O), backbone hydrogens of amino acids exchange with deuterium at varying kinetics rates depending upon their hydrogen bonding and solvent accessibility. When the antigen is complexed with the antibody, this deuterium uptake rate is altered in the epitope regions. These differences can be measured accurately at various time points.
After initial screening, the unbound antigen and the antibody-antigen complex are diluted in a D2O solution
At various time points, the Deuterium/Hydrogen exchange is quenched at 0°C and pH 2.5
The protein samples are then digested into peptides using appropriate proteolytic digestion
The resulting peptides are then directly injected for microflow LC-MS/MS detection
From the peptide mass fingerprints (PMF), deuterium exchange rate heat maps can be compared between the antigen alone or the antigen with antibody binding
Step 3: Data Analysis and Report
Finally, data is analyzed using the latest software packages from multiple providers with full report generation using easy to understand HDX heat map descriptions and personal result presentation. Graphical characterization upon the PDB structure included as available.
Timeline, Sample Requirements and Resolution
- Sample Consumption: 400 ug of antigen and 400ug of mAb/epitope
- Resolution down to 4-8 amino acids (depending on PMF)
- Timeline: 5-6 weeks of delivery time (less with RUSH)
- Applicable for most therapeutic proteins or antigen
- No need for crystallography, recombinant protein work, peptide synthesis, micro-array
- Cost: CovalX offers the lowest cost available for HDX analysis
Notable Benefits with CovalX HDX-MS Service
- Initial characterization of intact protein and complex provides robust screening before beginning mapping experiments. This is unique to CovalX services
- Expertise: CovalX has over a decade of experience working analyzing protein complexes using mass spectrometry
- Latest Equipment: CovalX utilizes the latest mass spec, automation robotics and analysis software available.
- Applicable for conformational, discontinuous and linear epitopes as well as many other conformational protein studies
- The interaction is analyzed directly, by mass spectrometry
Other Services that CovalX HDX-MS provide
| Biosimilar characterization |
| Higher-order structure |
| Conformational/Protein dynamics |
| Small molecules interaction (Compound binding analysis) |
| Protein-Protein interactions |
| Protein folding characterization |
Download supporting materials
Hydrogen Deuterium eXchange Mass Spectrometry Services (HDX-MS)
For example patents, publications, or comparison data please see our library or contact us directly.
An overview of epitope mapping technologies can be seen here.