Combination Of Collision-induced Dissociation Research Articles

Separation of Isomeric Tau Phosphopeptides from Alzheimer's Disease Brain by Cyclic Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of increasing concern. It belongs to diseases termed tauopathies which are characterized by inclusions of abnormally hyperphosphorylated and truncated forms of the protein tau. Studies of tauopathies often focus on detection and characterization of these aberrant tau proteoforms, in particular the phosphorylation sites, which represent a significant analytical challenge for example when several phosphosites can be present on the same peptide. Such isomers can even be difficult to fully separate chromatographically. Since recently introduced cyclic ion mobility-mass spectrometry can offer different selectivity, we have investigated the closely positioned phosphorylation sites S214, T212, and T217 of a tryptic peptide from proline rich region of tau-TPSLPTPPTREPK. The conformational heterogeneity of the isomeric peptides in the gas phase hindered their separation due to their overlapping arrival time distributions. Increasing the resolution of the analysis alone is insufficient to distinguish the peptides in a mixture typical of patient samples. We therefore developed a method based on a combination of collision-induced dissociation, isomeric product ions (m/z 677) mobility separation and post-mobility dissociation to aid in analyzing the isomeric phosphopeptides of tau in diseased brain extract. For all three isomers (T212, S214, and T217), the ion mobility signal of the ion at m/z 677 was still observable at the concentration of 0.1 nmol/L. This work not only offers insights into the phosphorylation of tau protein in AD but also provides an analytical workflow for the characterization of challenging pathological protein modifications in neurodegenerative diseases.

Gas-phase studies of copper(I)-mediated CO2 extrusion followed by insertion of the heterocumulenes CS2 or phenylisocyanate.

The gas-phase extrusion-insertion reactions of the copper complex [bathophenanthroline (Bphen)CuI (O2 CC6 H5 )]2- , generated via electrospray ionization, was studied in a linear ion trap mass spectrometer with the combination of collision-induced dissociation (CID) and ion-molecule reaction (IMR) events. Multistage mass spectrometry (MSn ) experiments and density functional theory (DFT) demonstrated that extrusion of carbon dioxide from [(Bphen)Cu(O2 CC6 H5 )]2- (CID) gives the organometallic intermediate [(Bphen)Cu(C6 H5 )]2- , which subsequently reacts with carbon disulfide (IMR) via insertion to yield [(Bphen)Cu (SC(S)C6 H5 )]2- . The fragmentation of the product ion resulted in the formation of [Bphen]2- , [(Bphen)Cu]- and C6 H5 CS2 - under CID conditions. The formation of the latter two charge separation products thus provides evidence of C-C bond formation in the IMR step. Although analogous studies with isocyanate, which is isoelectronic with CS2 , showed a poor reactivity in the gas phase, the mechanistic understanding obtained from these model studies encourages future development of a solution phase protocol for the synthesis of amides from carboxylic acids and isocyanates mediated by copper(I) complexes.

Structural Properties of Gas-Phase Molybdenum Oxide Clusters [Mo4O13]2\u2212, [HMo4O13]\u2212, and [CH3Mo4O13]\u2212 Studied by Collision-Induced Dissociation

Molybdenum oxide-based catalysts are widely used for the ammoxidation of toluene, methanation of CO, or hydrodeoxygenation. As a first step towards a gas-phase model system, we investigate here structural properties of mass-selected [Mo4O13]2−, [HMo4O13]−, and [CH3Mo4O13]− by a combination of collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments and quantum chemical calculations. According to calculations, the common structural motif is an eight-membered ring composed of four MoO2 units and four O atoms. The 13th O atom is located above the center of the ring and connects two to four Mo centers. For [Mo4O13]2− and [HMo4O13]−, dissociation requires opening or rearrangement of the ring structure, which is quite facile for the doubly charged [Mo4O13]2−, but energetically more demanding for [HMo4O13]−. In the latter case, the hydrogen atom is found to stay preferentially with the negatively charged fragments [HMo2O7]− or [HMoO4]−. The doubly charged species [Mo4O13]2− loses one MoO3 unit at low energies while Coulomb explosion into the complementary fragments [Mo2O6]− and [Mo2O7]− dominates at elevated collision energies. [CH3Mo4O13]− affords rearrangements of the methyl group with low barriers, preferentially eliminating formaldehyde, while the ring structure remains intact. [CH3Mo4O13]− also reacts efficiently with water, leading to methanol or formaldehyde elimination.

Gas-Phase Synthesis and Reactivity of Ligated Group 10 Ions in the Formal +1 Oxidation State.

Electrospray ionization of the group 10 complexes [(phen)M(O2CCH3)2] (phen=1,10-phenanthroline, M = Ni, Pd, Pt) generates the cations [(phen)M(O2CCH3)]+, whose gas-phase chemistry was studied using multistage mass spectrometry experiments in an ion trap mass spectrometer with the combination of collision-induced dissociation (CID) and ion-molecule reactions (IMR). Decarboxylation of [(phen)M(O2CCH3)]+ under CID conditions generates the organometallic cations [(phen)M(CH3)]+, which undergo bond homolysis upon a further stage of CID to generate the cations [(phen)M]+· in which the metal center is formally in the +1 oxidation state. In the case of [(phen)Pt(CH3)]+, the major product ion [(phen)H]+ was formed via loss of the metal carbene Pt=CH2. DFT calculated energetics for the competition between bond homolysis and M=CH2 loss are consistent with their experimentally observed branching ratios of 2% and 98% respectively. The IMR of [(phen)M]+· with O2, N2, H2O, acetone, and allyl iodide were examined. Adduct formation occurs for O2, N2, H2O, and acetone. Upon CID, all adducts fragment to regenerate [(phen)M]+·, except for [(phen)Pt(OC(CH3)2)]+·, which loses a methyl radical to form [(phen)Pt(OCCH3)]+ which upon a further stage of CID regenerates [(phen)Pt(CH3)]+ via CO loss. This closes a formal catalytic cycle for the decomposition of acetone into CO and two methyl radicals with [(phen)Pt]+· as catalyst. In the IMR of [(phen)M]+· with allyl iodide, formation of [(phen)M(CH2CHCH2)]+ was observed for all three metals, whereas for M = Pt also [(phen)Pt(I)]+ and [(phen)Pt(I)2(CH2CHCH2)]+ were observed. Finally, DFT calculated reaction energetics for all IMR reaction channels are consistent with the experimental observations.

Gas-Phase Reactions of the Group 10 Organometallic Cations, [(phen)M(CH3)]+ with Acetone: Only Platinum Promotes a Catalytic Cycle via the Enolate [(phen)Pt(OC(CH2)CH3)]+

Abstract Electrospray ionisation of the ligated group 10 metal complexes [(phen)M(O2CCH3)2] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) generates the cations [(phen)M(O2CCH3)]+, whose gas-phase chemistry was studied using multistage mass spectrometry experiments in an ion trap mass spectrometer with the combination of collision-induced dissociation (CID) and ion-molecule reactions (IMR). A new catalytic cycle has been discovered. In step 1, decarboxylation of [(phen)M(O2CCH3)]+ under CID conditions generates the organometallic cations [(phen)M(CH3)]+, which react with acetone to generate the [(phen)M(CH3)(OC(CH3)2)]+ adducts in competition with formation of the coordinated enolate for M = Pt (step 2). For M = Ni and Pd, the adducts regenerate [(phen)M(CH3)]+ upon CID. In the case of M = Pt, loss of methane is favored over loss of acetone and results in the formation of the enolate complex, [(phen)Pt(OC(CH2)CH3)]+. Upon further CID, both methane and CO loss can be observed resulting in the formation of the ketenyl and ethyl complexes [(phen)Pt(OCCH)]+ and [(phen)Pt(CH2CH3)]+ (step 3), respectively. In step 4, CID of [(phen)Pt(CH2CH3)]+ results in a beta-hydride elimination reaction to yield the hydride complex, [(phen)Pt(H)]+, which reacts with acetic acid to regenerate the acetate complex [(phen)Pt(O2CCH3)]+ and H2 in step 5. Thus, the catalytic cycle is formally closed, which corresponds to the decomposition of acetone and acetic acid into methane, CO, CO2, ethene and H2. All except the last step of the catalytic cycle are modelled using DFT calculations with optimizations of structures at the M06/SDD 6-31G(d) level of theory.

Asparagine-Linked Glycans of Cryptosporidium parvum Contain a Single Long Arm, Are Barely Processed in the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) or Golgi, and Show a Strong Bias for Sites with Threonine

Cryptosporidium parvum causes severe diarrhea in infants in developing countries and in immunosuppressed persons, including those with AIDS. We are interested in the Asn-linked glycans (N-glycans) of C. parvum, because (1) the N-glycan precursor is predicted to contain five mannose and two glucose residues on a single long arm versus nine mannose and three glucose residues on the three-armed structure common in host N-glycans, (2) C. parvum is a rare eukaryote that lacks the machinery for N-glycan-dependent quality control of protein folding in the lumen of the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), and (3) ER and Golgi mannosidases, as well as glycosyltransferases that build complex N-glycans, are absent from the predicted proteome. The C. parvum N-glycans reported here, which were determined using a combination of collision-induced dissociation and electronic excitation dissociation, contain a single, unprocessed mannose arm ± terminal glucose on the trimannosyl chitobiose core. Upon nanoUPLC-MS/MS separation and analysis of the C. parvum tryptic peptides, the total ion and extracted oxonium ion chromatograms delineated 32 peptides with occupied N-glycan sites; these were derived from 16 glycoproteins. Although the number of potential N-glycan sites with Thr (NxT) is only about twice that with Ser (NxS), almost 90% of the occupied N-glycan sites contain NxT. The two most abundant C. parvum proteins modified with N-glycans were an immunodominant antigen on the surface of sporozoites (gp900) and the possible oocyst wall protein 1 (POWP1). Seven other glycoproteins with N-glycans were unique to C. parvum; five shared common ancestry with other apicomplexans; two glycoproteins shared common ancestry with many organisms. In summary, C. parvum N-glycans are remarkable for the absence of ER and Golgi modification and for the strong bias toward occupancy of N-glycan motifs containing Thr.

Sequential Collision- and Ozone-Induced Dissociation Enables Assignment of Relative Acyl Chain Position in Triacylglycerols.

Unambiguous identification of isomeric lipids by mass spectrometry represents a significant analytical challenge in contemporary lipidomics. Herein, the combination of collision-induced dissociation (CID) with ozone-induced dissociation (OzID) on an ion-trap mass spectrometer is applied to the identification of triacylglycerol (TG) isomers that vary only by the substitution pattern of fatty acyl (FA) chains esterified to the glycerol backbone. Isolated product ions attributed to loss of a single FA arising from CID of [TG + Na](+) ions react rapidly with ozone within the ion trap. The resulting CID/OzID spectra exhibit abundant ions that unequivocally reveal the relative position of FAs along the backbone. Isomeric TGs containing two or three different FA substituents are readily differentiated by diagnostic ions present in their CID/OzID spectra. Compatibility of this method with chromatographic separations enables the characterization of unusual TGs containing multiple short-chain FAs present in Drosophila.

Collision-Induced Dissociation Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry for the Elucidation of Unknown Structures in Strained Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Macrocycles.

Structure determination of unexpected products obtained during synthesis of large carbon nanotube sidewall segments with more than 200 carbon atoms represents a challenging task for traditional analytical methods. Herein, we investigate a homologous series of four products having the same number of carbon atoms but slightly different hydrogen numbers ranging from 168 to 162. We demonstrate that the combination of mass spectrometry, ion mobility separation, and collision-induced dissociation (CID) can be used to finally elucidate the complete structures with high certainty. The postulated 1,2-phenyl shift as origin for the side reaction could be proven by changes in the minimum fragment sizes. A combination of CID and ion mobility spectrometry was applied for the first time to prove the cyclic nature of all molecules by the significant size increase upon ring opening. Thereby, also, more compact molecules were discovered in the gas phase with thus far unknown structures. Finally, the potential presence of numerous isomers could be ruled out by drift time measurements and molecular modeling together with theoretical collision cross-section (CCS) calculations. Surprisingly, only one defined structure could be assigned to each macrocycle in the homologous series, most likely as a result of natural selection rules driven by ring strain and steric hindrance. With a decreasing hydrogen content, the macrocycles undergo a stepwise transition from a cylindrical to conical shape. Overall, ion mobility mass spectrometry together with molecular modeling shows great potential to analyze unknown structures, especially in cases where structure determination by X-ray single-crystal analysis is not applicable.

Probing Peptide Cation–Radicals by Near-UV Photodissociation in the Gas Phase. Structure Elucidation of Histidine Radical Chromophores Formed by Electron Transfer Reduction

Electron transfer reduction of gas-phase ions generated from histidine-containing peptides forms stable cation-radicals that absorb light at 355 nm, as studied for AAHAR, AAHAK, DSHAK, FHEK, HHGYK, and HHSHR. Laser photodissociation of mass-selected cation-radicals chiefly resulted in loss of H atoms, contrasting dissociations induced by slow collisional heating. The 355 nm absorption was due to new chromophores created by electron transfer and radical rearrangements in the cation-radicals. The chromophores were identified by time-dependent density functional theory calculations as 2H,3H-imidazoline and 2H-dihydrophenol radicals, formed by hydrogen atom transfer to the histidine and tyrosine side chain groups, respectively. These radicals undergo facile C-H bond dissociations upon photon absorption. In contrast, dissociations of histidine peptide cation-radicals containing the 1H,3H-imidazoline ring prefer loss of 4-methylimidazole via a multistep reaction pathway. The isomeric cation-radicals can be distinguished by a combination of collision-induced dissociation and near-UV photodissociation. The TD-DFT excitation energies in model imidazoline radicals were benchmarked on EOM-CCSD energies, and a satisfactory agreement was found for the M06-2X and ωB97XD functionals. The combination of electron transfer, photodissociation, collisional activation, and theory is presented as a powerful tool for studying structures and electronic properties of peptide cation-radicals in the gas phase.

Insights into the fragmentation pathways of gas-phase protonated sulfoserine

The fragmentation chemistry of protonated sulfoserine was probed using a combination of collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass spectrometry, infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The IRMPD spectra of the dominant fragment ions at m/z 106 and 88 (i.e., loss of SO3 and H2SO4) were obtained and used to determine the corresponding structures. By comparison to a synthetic standard and calculations, it was determined that the m/z 106 ion is structurally identical to protonated serine. The m/z 88 fragment ion was assigned an aziridine structure based on a comparison to theory, analogous to the structure previously proposed by others for phosphoric acid loss from phosphoserine. This work provides the first spectroscopic insights into the dissociation pathways of a sulfated amino acid, laying the groundwork for future studies on related amino acids and peptides with this important, labile post-translational modification.

Human Urinary Glycoproteomics; Attachment Site Specific Analysis of N- and O-Linked Glycosylations by CID and ECD

Urine is a complex mixture of proteins and waste products and a challenging biological fluid for biomarker discovery. Previous proteomic studies have identified more than 2800 urinary proteins but analyses aimed at unraveling glycan structures and glycosylation sites of urinary glycoproteins are lacking. Glycoproteomic characterization remains difficult because of the complexity of glycan structures found mainly on asparagine (N-linked) or serine/threonine (O-linked) residues. We have developed a glycoproteomic approach that combines efficient purification of urinary glycoproteins/glycopeptides with complementary MS-fragmentation techniques for glycopeptide analysis. Starting from clinical sample size, we eliminated interfering urinary compounds by dialysis and concentrated the purified urinary proteins by lyophilization. Sialylated urinary glycoproteins were conjugated to a solid support by hydrazide chemistry and trypsin digested. Desialylated glycopeptides, released through mild acid hydrolysis, were characterized by tandem MS experiments utilizing collision induced dissociation (CID) and electron capture dissociation fragmentation techniques. In CID-MS(2), Hex(5)HexNAc(4)-N-Asn and HexHexNAc-O-Ser/Thr were typically observed, in agreement with known N-linked biantennary complex-type and O-linked core 1-like structures, respectively. Additional glycoforms for specific N- and O-linked glycopeptides were also identified, e.g. tetra-antennary N-glycans and fucosylated core 2-like O-glycans. Subsequent CID-MS(3), of selected fragment-ions from the CID-MS(2) analysis, generated peptide specific b- and y-ions that were used for peptide identification. In total, 58 N- and 63 O-linked glycopeptides from 53 glycoproteins were characterized with respect to glycan- and peptide sequences. The combination of CID and electron capture dissociation techniques allowed for the exact identification of Ser/Thr attachment site(s) for 40 of 57 putative O-glycosylation sites. We defined 29 O-glycosylation sites which have, to our knowledge, not been previously reported. This is the first study of human urinary glycoproteins where "intact" glycopeptides were studied, i.e. the presence of glycans and their attachment sites were proven without doubt.

Gas‐phase ion‐molecule reaction of alpha‐phenylvinyl cation towards substituted benzenes in the environment of an ITMS

Ion-molecule reactions between the α-phenylvinyl cation (α-PVC) and mono-substituted benzenes have been investigated using a quadrople ion-trap mass spectrometer. The α-PVC, generated by chemical ionization from phenylacetilene, was found to react selectively with mono-substituted benzenes bearing electron withdrawing groups to give the product ions [M + 103](+) and the trans-vinylating product ions [M + 25](+). To characterize the reaction products, a combination of collision-induced dissociation, isotope-labeling experiments and model compounds were used. The results indicate, in addition to direct heteroatom alkylation, high extent of ortho attack. We attributed the positional selectivity of the α-PVC to the nature of the substituent on the neutral molecule. In particular, hydroxy and amino groups promoted the alkenylation at ortho position.

Ion−Molecule Reactions of O,S-Dimethyl Methylphosphonothioate: Evidence for Intramolecular Sulfur Oxidation during VX Perhydrolysis

The alkaline perhydrolysis of the nerve agent O-ethyl S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate (VX) was investigated by studying the ion-molecule reactions of HOO(-) with O,S-dimethyl methylphosphonothioate in a modified linear ion-trap mass spectrometer. In addition to simple proton transfer, two other abundant product ions are observed at m/z 125 and 109 corresponding to the S-methyl methylphosphonothioate and methyl methylphosphonate anions, respectively. The structure of these product ions is demonstrated by a combination of collision-induced dissociation and isotope-labeling experiments that also provide evidence for their formation by nucleophilic reaction pathways, namely, (i) S(N)2 at carbon to yield the S-methyl methylphosphonothioate anion and (ii) nucleophilic addition at phosphorus affording a reactive pentavalent intermediate that readily undergoes internal sulfur oxidation and concomitant elimination of CH(3)SOH to yield the methyl methylphosphonate anion. Consistent with previous solution phase observations of VX perhydrolysis, the toxic P-O cleavage product is not observed in this VX model system and theoretical calculations identify P-O cleavage to be energetically uncompetitive. Conversely, intramolecular sulfur oxidation is calculated to be extremely exothermic and kinetically accessible explaining its competitiveness with the facile gas phase proton transfer process. Elimination of a sulfur moiety deactivates the nerve agent VX and thus the intramolecular sulfur oxidation process reported here is also able to explain the selective perhydrolysis of the nerve agent to relatively nontoxic products.

Glycomic survey mapping of zebrafish identifies unique sialylation pattern

Functional genomics and proteomics studies of the developmental glycobiology of zebrafish are greatly hampered by the current lack of knowledge on its glycosylation profile. To furnish the requisite structural basis for a more insightful functional delineation and genetic manipulation, we have initiated a survey mapping of the possible expression of stage-specific glycoconjugates in zebrafish. High-sensitivity mass spectrometry (MS) analysis in conjunction with the usual array of enzymatic and chemical derivatization was employed as the principal method for rapid differential mapping of the glycolipids and sequentially liberated N- and O-glycans from the total extracts. We demonstrated that all developmental stages of the zebrafish under investigation, from fertilized eggs to hatched embryos, synthesize oligomannosyl types of N-glycans, as well as complex types with additionally beta4-galactosylated, Neu5Ac/Neu5Gc monosialylated Lewis x termini. A combination of collision-induced dissociation (CID)-MS/MS and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses led to the identification of an abundant and unusual mucin-type O-glycosylation, based on a novel sequence Fucalpha1-3GalNAcbeta1-4(Neu5Ac/Neu5Gcalpha2-3)Galbeta1-3GalNAc. This core structure may be further oligosialylated, but exclusively in the earlier development stages. Similarly, MS and MS/MS analyses of the extracted glycolipid fraction revealed the presence of a heterogeneous family of oligosialylated lactosylceramide compounds. In contrast to the O-glycans, these glycolipids only appear in the later development stages, suggesting a complex pattern of regulation for sialyltransferase activities during zebrafish embryogenesis.

Generation of arylnitrenium ions by nitro-reduction and gas-phase synthesis of N-Heterocycles

Nitro-reduction by the vinyl halide radical cation CH2 = CH-X+* (X = Cl or Br) converts nitroaromatics into arylnitrenium ions, significant intermediates in carcinogenesis, and the present study reports on the scope and regioselectivity of this versatile reaction. The reaction is general for different kinds of substituted nitroaromatics; para/meta substitutents have little effect on the reaction while ortho substitutents result in low yields of arylnitrenium ions. The phenylnitrenium ion PhNH+ can be generated by chemical ionization (CI) of nitrobenzene using 1,2-dichloroethane as the reagent gas or by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) of 1,2-dichloroethane solution doped with nitrobenzene. The chemical reactivities of the arylnitrenium ions include one-step ion/molecule reactions with nucleophiles ethyl vinyl ether and 1,3-dioxolanes, respectively, involving the direct formation of new CN bonds and synthesis of indole and benzomorpholine derivatives. The indole formation reaction parallels known condensed phase chemistry, while the concise morpholine-forming reaction remains to be sought in solution. The combination of collision-induced dissociation (CID) with novel ion/molecule reactions should provide a selective method for the detection of explosives such as TNT, RDX and HMX in mixtures using mass spectrometry. In addition to the reduction of the nitro group, reduction of methyl phenyl sulfone PhS(O)2Me to the thioanisole radical cation PhSMe+* occurs using the same chemical ionization reagent 1,2-dichloroethane. This probably involves an analogous reduction reaction by the reagent ion CH2 = CH-Cl+*.

Investigation of metal complex coordination structure using collision-induced dissociation and ion–molecule reactions in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer

A technique described previously using ion–molecule (I–M) reactions to determine metal complex coordination number has been combined with collision-induced dissociation (CID) in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. Nitrogen-containing tripodal ligands complexed with some first-row transition metals [i.e. Mn(II), Co(II), Fe(II), and Ni(II)] are generated by electrospray ionization, and the coordination number of these metal complex ions are determined in the gas phase using I–M reactions. Information about the coordination sphere structure (i.e. metal–ligand connectivity) is then gathered by dissociating the metal complexes, reacting their product ions, and comparing the coordination number of these product ions with their parent ions. Results suggest that a change in the coordination number upon dissociation allows identification of the functionality involved in coordination to the metal. Conversely, no change in the coordination number indicates either the lost functional group is not involved in the coordination or the ligand rearranges to fill a coordination site vacated by the dissociated group. Distinguishing between the two processes (i.e. when coordination number does not change) was very difficult in these studies, but results suggest that, in some cases, ligand rearrangement does not occur. Also, some product ions did not provide any useful coordination information upon reaction. In these cases the product ions either did not contain the metal or contained the metal in a reduced oxidation state. The preliminary results presented here are promising and suggest that with further investigation of the dynamics of metal complex I–M reactions, a combination of CID and I–M reaction may allow metal-complex coordination structure to be determined using mass spectrometry.

Structure determination of ceramides and neutral glycosphingolipids by collisional activation of [M + Li] + ions

N eutral glycosphingolipids are a general class of biological molecules that are important components of cell membranes. Their basic structure (1) comprises one or more neutral sugar residues attached to a ceramide residue. The ceramide group (R = H) is a long-chain sphingoid base, such as (4E)-sphingenine [R’ = CH=CH(CH,),CH,] or sphinganine [R’ = (CH,),CHJ, that is substituted at the amino group by a fatty acyl group (R” = alkyl chain). If the R group were a simple sugar, the glycosphingolipid would be called a cerebroside or a 1-@-glycosylceramide [ 11. The structure of the glycosyl group can vary, as can the structures of both the sphingoid base and N-a@ chain. Thus, easy but complete structural elucidation of neutral glycosphingolipids has been a challenge in biochemistry, and mass spectrometry has played an important role. Derivatization and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry have been used to separately characterize the sugar, ceramide, sphingoid base, and fatty acyl components [2, 31. Egge and Peter-KataliniC [4] reviewed the many uses of fast atom bombardment (FAB) of [M + HI+, [M + Na]+, and [M HIions for structure elucidation of different types of glycosphingolipids. Of more recent application is the combination of collision-induced dissociation (CID) of FAB-desorbed [M + HI+, [M HI-, and their fragment ions 15-71. Costello and Vath [6] have contributed significantly in this latter area and have recently reviewed their work. As an alternative to using CID of [M + H]+ and [M HIions, we have been exploring the use of alkali [&lo], and alkaline earth [ll], metal ions as adducts to enhance structural determination upon CID. Here, we report our initial results of applying CID of [M + Li]+ ions to the structural determination of six ceramides and 10 neutral glycosphingolipids. All spectra were acquired by using a VG Instruments (Manchester, UK) 70-S forward geometry mass spectrometer and B/E linked scans. Precursor ions were

Facile assignment of sequence ions of a peptide labelled with 18O at the carboxyl terminus

The combination of collision-induced dissociation (CID) and linked-scan analysis was used for analysing the sequence ions from the precursor ion of a peptide, which had been labelled with 18O at its carboxyl terminus (C-terminus) using 40 atom % H2 18O. The CID and linked-scan mass spectrum of the labelled peptide gave two series of sequence-ion signals: the one, originating from the C-terminus of the labelled peptide, showed a doublet signal due to the part-incorporation of 18O into the carboxyl group at the C-terminus, while the other, originating from the amino terminus (N-terminus), has the natural isotopic ion distribution. From the distribution of the isotopic ions in a single CID spectrum, the sequence ions containing the C-terminus could be readily differentiated from those containing the N-terminus, allowing the facile assignment of sequence ions to the amino-acid sequence of a peptide by CID and linked-scan analysis. This method was successfully applied to determination of the amino-acid sequence of the light-chain of mouse anti-porphyrin monoclonal antibody.

Structures of NO −3 formed via glow discharge in atmospheric gases

Tandem mass spectrometry experiments using both ion-molecule reactions and collision-induced dissociation (CID) in an ion trap mass spectrometer have been performed to characterize the structures of the NO − 3 ions that issue from an atmospheric sampling glow discharge ionization source. The experimental evidence suggests that significant abundances of at least two stable forms of NO − 3 can be obtained from an air-sustained glow discharge. Ab initio calculations have been performed to identify the structures of the likely isomers. Rate constants have been measured for the reaction of the less thermodynamically stable isomer(s) with carbon dioxide, and evidence is given for a new reaction, (OONO) − + NO ∓ 2 → NO − 2 + O 2 + NO . The combination of CID with a kinetic study is shown to be a useful approach for obtaining rate constant information when a mixture of reactive and unreactive isomers is present in the reactant population.