Detection of molecular determinants and epitope mapping using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

There are considerable advantages regarding the use of mass spectrometry in immunology and the study of autoimmune diseases. First, the use of MALDI- TOF allows a level of sensitivity in the femtomole range. Thus, one has the ability to identify minute quantities of a molecule in a crude preparation. Second, epitope mapping can be performed using protein antigen proteolysis in combination with mass spectrometric peptide mapping analysis, thus preserving the structural components of the epitope. Mass spectrometry provides an important new approach to the field of immunology with wide application toward the identification of molecules associated with a number of disease states.