Abstract 5301: Detection of arginine posttranslational modifications by single-molecule protein sequencing on the Quantum-Si platform
Authors: Skinner Kenneth , Kamber David , Reed Brian 
Published: June 2023

Aberrant post-translational modifications (PTMs) on arginine residues, such as methylation and citrullination, are closely linked to oncogenic processes. Detection of these PTMs is challenging with current technology and can be hampered by low abundance and mass differences that are difficult to resolve by mass spectrometry. To overcome these challenges, we developed methods for PTM detection using Quantum-Si's Platinum single-molecule protein sequencing platform. Proteins are sequenced on Quantum-Si's Platinum instrument using our library prep protocol. Briefly, proteins are digested into peptide fragments, conjugated to linkers, then immobilized at the bottom of nanoscale reaction chambers on a semiconductor chip, resulting in exposed N-termini for sequencing. During sequencing, the immobilized peptides are exposed to a solution of dye-labeled N-terminal amino acid (NAA) recognizers that reversibly bind to their cognate NAAs with distinct kinetic properties. Aminopeptidases sequentially remove NAAs to expose subsequent amino acids for recognition. Fluorescence lifetime, intensity, and kinetic data are collected in real time and analyzed to determine primary sequence and PTM content. The data output consists of distinct pulsing regions called recognition segments (RSs). Each RS corresponds to a period of time between aminopeptidase cleavage events, during which an NAA recognizer binds on/off to its exposed target NAA. Chemical modification to a NAA or to a nearby downstream amino acid can modulate recognizer affinity, resulting in a characteristic change in the average pulse duration (PD) during an RS. To demonstrate the detection and differentiation of arginine PTMs, we applied our platform to distinguish between asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and between citrulline and native arginine residues. Sequencing traces revealed that arginine and ADMA bind the arginine recognizer (PS621) with similar PD, whereas SDMA exhibited no binding. These results indicate that SDMA, in contrast to ADMA, has reduced binding affinity with PS621, providing a clear kinetic difference between these isomeric arginine PTMs. Moreover, citrulline and arginine side chains also exhibited distinguishable kinetic signatures. Citrullination eliminated the N-terminal arginine recognized by PS621 and resulted in a large increase in the median PD of preceding amino acid residues. Taken together, single-molecule protein sequencing offers an alternative approach to detection of arginine PTMs that is not based on m/z, but rather on the kinetic signature of binding between recognizers and N-terminal amino acids. The ability to directly detect arginine PTMs offers potential for biomedical research. We envisage applications using Quantum-Si's platform to key areas of cancer research including biomarker development and drug discovery.

Citation Format: Kenneth Skinner, David Kamber, Brian Reed. Detection of arginine posttranslational modifications by single-molecule protein sequencing on the Quantum-Si platform. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 5301.