Triplet-based-correlation pattern matching for de novo sequencing of conopeptides

Conopeptides are small peptides produced by predatory marine snails belonging to the conoidean family. The development of tools for conopeptide sequencing is necessary due to increasing interest in conopeptides as potential therapeutic drugs. Peptides are sequenced by performing tandem mass spectrometry (MS) followed by transcriptome-guided analysis of the resulting mass spectra. To maximize the utility of MS in conopeptide sequencing, de novo sequencing tools which do not rely on transcriptome data are needed. In this study, a triplet-based-correlation algorithm for de novo sequencing is tested on a theoretical MS/MS spectrum with sequence GWVYHAHPEANSFWT. Due to the algorithm's naive approach, it can be applied to any peptide MS/MS spectrum.