Protein complexes and analysis of their assembly by mass spectrometry

The utility of mass spectrometry for the analysis of proteins has grown eno rmously in the past decade. Significant advances in detection and ionizatio n techniques are allowing questions about noncovalent assembly to be addres sed by the direct observation of gas phase complexes, their assembly in rea l time and their disassembly by perturbation of solution or instrument cond itions. These technological innovations have plainly captured the imaginati on of biological researchers. Recent and novel developments include the com bination of mass spectrometry with isotopic labeling, affinity labeling and genomic information. Collectively, these advances are opening new doors to the isolation of complexes, the identification of their substituents and t he characterization of their conformations and assembly.