Verification of Protein Biomarker Specificity for the Identification of Biological Stains by Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Publication Date

1-20-2017

Document Type

Article

Organizational Units

College of Natural Science and Mathematics, Biological Sciences

Keywords

Forensic biology, Forensic serology, Mass spectrometry, Proteomics

Abstract

Advances in proteomics technology over the past decade offer forensic serologists a greatly improved opportunity to accurately characterize the tissue source from which a DNA profile has been developed. Such information can provide critical context to evidence and can help to prioritize downstream DNA analyses. Previous proteome studies compiled panels of “candidate biomarkers” specific to each of five body fluids (i.e., peripheral blood, vaginal/menstrual fluid, seminal fluid, urine, and saliva). Here, a multiplex quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry assay has been developed in order to verify the tissue/body fluid specificity the 23 protein biomarkers that comprise these panels and the consistency with which they can be detected across a sample population of 50 humans. Single‐source samples of these human body fluids were accurately identified by the detection of one or more high‐specificity biomarkers. Recovery of body fluid samples from a variety of substrates did not impede accurate characterization and, of the potential inhibitors assayed, only chewing tobacco juice appeared to preclude the identification of a target body fluid. Using a series of 2‐component mixtures of human body fluids, the multiplex assay accurately identified both components in a single‐pass. Only in the case of saliva and peripheral blood did matrix effects appear to impede the detection of salivary proteins.

Copyright Date

11-24-2016

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Rights Holder

WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Provenance

Received from author

Language

English (eng)

Extent

13 pgs

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Publication Title

Electrophoresis

Volume

38

Issue

6

First Page

833

Last Page

845

ISSN

1522-2683

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