Mass Spectrometric Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Proteins from Gargle Solution Samples of COVID-19 Patients

J Proteome Res. 2020 Nov 6;19(11):4389-4392. doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00280. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Abstract

Mass spectrometry (MS) can deliver valuable diagnostic data that complement genomic information and allow us to increase our current knowledge of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We developed a simple, MS-based method to specifically detect SARS-CoV-2 proteins from gargle solution samples of COVID-19 patients. The protocol consists of an acetone precipitation and tryptic digestion of proteins contained within the gargle solution, followed by a targeted MS analysis. Our methodology identifies unique peptides originating from SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein. Building on these promising initial results, faster MS protocols can now be developed as routine diagnostic tools for COVID-19 patients. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD019423.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; mass spectrometry; nucleoprotein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus / chemistry*
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Mouth / virology*
  • Nucleoproteins / analysis
  • Nucleoproteins / chemistry
  • Pandemics
  • Peptide Fragments / analysis
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Viral Proteins / analysis
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry

Substances

  • Nucleoproteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Viral Proteins