A novel combined approach of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Mass spectrometry to isolate the protein targets of chemical small molecules.

Nowadays, methods act to uncover the protein targets of a given small molecule require rounds of mass spectrometry or synthesis of derivatives linked to beads followed by a chemical proteomics process. Both models result very expensive and time consuming. We propose a cheap and relatively fast protocol that includes the combination of the mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with the nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) for Targeting Identification (SMaRT-Id). Moreover, both target proteins and compounds remain in their original native forms and no linkers need to be added. According to literature the proposed model is novel and innovative. The validation of this method will have a tremendous scientific impact in the field of target determination of small molecule and drug compounds and more in general in the drug discovery process.