The lysosomal endopeptidases Cathepsin D and L are selective and effective proteases for the middle-down characterization of antibodies.

Mass spectrometry is gaining momentum as a method of choice to de novo sequence antibodies (Abs). Adequate sequence coverage of the hypervariable regions remains one of the toughest identification challenges by either bottom-up or top-down workflows. Methods that efficiently generate mid-size Ab fragments would further facilitate top-down MS and decrease data complexity.