Development of Parallel Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectrometry Assay for the Detection of Human Norovirus Major Capsid Protein

Human Norwalk viruses (HuNoVs), the most common etiological agents of acute gastroenteritis, are genetically diverse RNA viruses that frequently cause mass food poisoning internationally. Although nucleic acid detection methods, such as reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), are the gold standard for the diagnosis of norovirus infection, alternative methods are needed for the specific and sensitive viral protein detection for rapid diagnosis and surveillance. In this study, we developed a robust and high-throughput targeted proteomic assay workflow to directly detect the VP1 major capsid protein of HuNoVs. A parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) assay using a high-resolution mass spectrometer was used to detect representative peptides derived from VP1 in six different HuNoV genotypes. An optimized protocol using synthesized heavy isotope-labeled peptides as internal standards was also used to simultaneously genotype and quantify the VP1 protein in human stool specimens. This method is expected to become a new tool for studying the molecular epidemiology of HuNoV and to shed new light on targeted proteomics in clinical practice.