Quantitation of Intact Proteins in Human Plasma Using Top-Down Parallel Reaction Monitoring-MS.

Direct quantitation of proteins in complex biological matrices by mass spectrometry remains a challenge. Here, we describe a novel top-down parallel reaction monitoring-mass spectrometry (PRM-MS) assay, enabled by microflow LC-nanospray MS using a silicon microfluidic LC-MS chip. We demonstrated direct analysis of intact proteins such as somatropin in human plasma, achieving sensitivity (0.1-1.0 fmole) and speed (1-5 min) on par with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).