RScore: a peptide randomicity score for evaluating tandem mass spectra

RScore, a new criterion of randomicity for evaluating tandem mass (MS/MS) spectra, is described. RScore is defined as the relative quality in cross-correlation and matched intensity percentage of a potentially positive peptide to those of other possible candidates for the same spectrum. By utilizing RScore combined with less stringent SEQUEST score filters, the number of true positive peptides can be increased and the number of false positives in datasets from a known protein mixture can be reduced compared with current SEQUEST parameters used alone. This algorithm is simple and adds little overheads to SEQUEST computation.