2.7. Peptide analysis by MALDI-ToF MS

Peptides were analysed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to acquire the masses of peptides derived from band-specific proteins. MALDI-TOF spectra were acquired using a Bruker ultrafleXtreme mass spectrometer in reflectron mode. Samples were mixed with MALDI matrix (saturated solution of α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid in 50% (v/v) ACN/0.2% (v/v) TFA) in a 1 : 1 ratio and spotted onto a target plate before being left to air dry. The laser frequency was 1000 Hz, laser energy 30% of maximum and 2000 laser shots were collected per spectrum, between 700–4000 m/z. All aspects of data acquisition and machine management were controlled through the flexControl, and data processing was performed in flexAnalysis (Bruker Daltonics).