Ionization Quadrupole Ion Trap Mass Research Articles

Examining Interactions of Uranyl(VI) Ions with Amino Acids in the Gas Phase

Gas-phase experiments, using electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-QIT/MS), were conducted to probe basic interactions of the uranyl(VI) ion, UO22+, with selected natural amino acids, namely, L-cysteine (Cys), L-histidine (His), and L-aspartic acid (Asp), which strongly bind to metal ions. The simplest amino acid, glycine (Gly), was also studied for comparison. Cys, His, and Asp have additional potentially coordinating groups beyond the amino and carboxylic acid functional groups, specifically thiol in Cys, imidazole in His, and a second carboxylate in Asp. Gas-phase experiments comprised collision-induced dissociation (CID) of uranyl–amino acid complexes and competitive CID to assess the relative binding strength of different amino acids in the same uranyl complex. Reactivity of selected uranyl–amino acid complexes with water provided further insights into relative stabilities. In positive ion mode, CID and ensuing reactions with water suggested that uranyl–neutral AA binding strength decreased in the order His > Asp > Cys > Gly, which is similar to amino acid proton affinities. In negative ion mode, CID revealed a decreasing dissociation tendency in the order Gly >> His ≈ Cys > Asp, presumably reflecting a reverse enhanced binding to uranyl of the doubly deprotonated amino acids formed in CID.

Investigation of solvent microparticle formation in spray ionization–quadrupole ion trap–mass spectrometry

AbstractIn the present study, a new method has been developed for the real‐time analysis of insource created solvent particles based on spray ionization–quadrupole ion trap–mass spectrometry (SI‐QIT‐MS). This is the first work in the literature reporting the formation of different solvent particles during solvent spray in mass spectrometry. The solvent particles formed from the solvent droplets are detected by a charge detector. Our ion trap system allows the measurement of a wide range particle masses. Various solvents and solvent mixtures such as water, methanol, acetone, toluene, n‐butanol, water‐methanol, and water‐ethanol were sprayed through a cone system, and the mass of the particles was monitored by different trap frequencies and voltages. While polar molecules produce larger and more diverse particles due to their strong intermolecular forces, apolar solvents generally do not produce a significant number of particles. We obtained results using a homemade ion trap mass spectrometer capable of determining the mass of micro‐sized solvent and solvent mixture particles weighing up to 1015 (Da). The instrument uses a charge detector connected to the exit of the ion trap. Simultaneous acquisition of particle mass spectra and measurement of the amount of charge in each particle allow mass assignment of each particle. Sprayed solvent particles were examined at various trap frequencies and voltages to find the best instrumental parameters for the highest trapping efficiency. The custom SI‐QIT‐MS instrument allows the measurement of the mass distribution of charged particles from the solvent spray.

Quantitative analysis of biogenic polyamines in distilled drinks by direct electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry using a nanocontainer.

Biogenic polyamines in drinks have been implicated in undesirable physiological effects. Methods for their detection and quantification usually involve derivatization, pre-concentration and clean-up. To assist the evaluation of the potential risk of distillates, it was important to develop a simple and fast analytical method, which is described in this study. Biogenic polyamines were selectively encapsulated after addition of a nanocontainer, cucurbit[7]uril (50μM), to the distilled drink samples, which were acidified with HCl (pH3) prior addition of the nanocontainer. The quantification of polyamines was achieved by direct infusion electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode, using encapsulated amantadine as internal standard, and by monitoring signals originating from their host-guest complexes. Six point calibration curves, ranging from 0.5μM to 20μM of polyamines in water and ethanol/water (50:50), were used to establish instrument response. The method was validated by analysis of fortified Arbutus spirits. Samples of Arbutus and grape pomace spirits were also analyzed. Linear responses were observed for all polyamines and were similar in water, hydro-alcoholic solutions and fortified Arbutus spirits. Putrescine the simple polyamine was detected only in grape pomace distillate samples. A quantitative method was developed for rapid and simple analysis of biogenic polyamines in distilled drinks. The detection limits depend on the ionization properties of the samples. Encapsulated amantadine can be used to probe these properties and method application. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Imidazolium salts with varying anions as charge carriers for detection of neutral bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) dichloride in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

While electrospray ionization is a popular technique for mass analysis, without a charged species it is ineffective. This coupled with solvent restrictions hinders the analysis of organometallic complexes. Detecting neutral species whose solubility is limited to nonconventional solvents is a problem that can be overcome with the right charge carrier, which is described in this study. Ionic liquids were synthesized and analyzed by electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry. The neutral palladium complex was also analyzed using different imidazolium salts as the charge carrier with the same method and instrumentation. Theoretical complements were also performed using Gaussian 09 at the density functional theory levels, using B3LYP functionals and the 6-31 g (d,p) basis set for geometry optimizations. Low concentration imidazolium salts in methanol showed aggregation behavior of the ionic liquid, where the cation peak and [cation](n+1)[anion]n peaks were observed in positive mode, while the [cation]n[anion](n+1) peaks were seen in negative mode. The unbound anion was observed in all the negative mode spectra except for the salt with the SCN anion when in THF. Solutions of PdCl2(PPh3)2 and a small amount of ionic liquid in THF showed the palladium complex adducted with the imidazolium cation for each of the ionic liquids studied. A charge carrier for a neutral organometallic complex was found in imidazolium salts, where the cation was observed as the ionizing agent. Differing ion intensities of the complex-adduct peak resulted from the anions ability to dissociate from the cation.

A Combination of Biochemical and Proteomic Analyses Reveals Bx-LEC-1 as an Antigenic Target for the Monoclonal Antibody 3-2A7-2H5-D9-F10 Specific to the Pine Wood Nematode

Pine wilt disease (PWD) is one of the most devastating forest diseases in Asia and Europe. The pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, has been identified as the pathogen underlying PWD, although the pathology is not completely understood. At present, diagnosis and confirmation of PWD are time consuming tasks that require nematode extraction and microscopic examination. To develop a more efficient detection method for B. xylophilus, we first generated monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to B. xylophilus. Among 2304 hybridoma fusions screened, a hybridoma clone named 3-2A7-2H5 recognized a single protein from B. xylophilus specifically, but not those from other closely related nematodes. We finally selected the MAb clone 3-2A7-2H5-D9-F10 (D9-F10) for further studies. To identify the antigenic target of MAb-D9-F10, we analyzed proteins in spots, fractions, or bands isolated from SDS-PAGE, two-dimensional electrophoresis, anion exchange chromatography, and immunoprecipitation via nano liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (nano-LC-ESI-Q-IT-MS). Peptides of galactose-binding lectin-1 of B. xylophilus (Bx-LEC-1) were commonly detected in several proteomic analyses, demonstrating that this LEC-1 is the antigenic target of MAb-D9-F10. The localization of MAb-D9-F10 immunoreactivities at the area of the median bulb and esophageal glands suggested that the Bx-LEC-1 may be involved in food perception and digestion. The Bx-LEC-1 has two nonidentical galactose-binding lectin domains important for carbohydrate binding. The affinity of the Bx-LEC-1 to D-(+)-raffinose and N-acetyllactosamine were much higher than that to L-(+)-rhamnose. Based on this combination of evidences, MAb-D9-F10 is the first identified molecular biomarker specific to the Bx-LEC-1.

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of a cerium(III) phosphomolybdate complex: Condensed and gas-phase cluster chemistry

Electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-QIT/MS) of the ammonium cerium(III) phosphomolybdate complex (NH 4) 11[Ce(III)(PMo 11O 39) 2] in aqueous media has revealed a concentration-dependent behavior. Under fixed instrumental parameters, the Ce-containing polyoxomolybdate complexes H 2Ce(III)P 2Mo 22O 75 3− and Ce(III)PMo 11O 38 2− are the primary species present at 11 mM (pH = 4.3); at 0.7 mM (pH = 3.6), Ce(III)PMo 10O 35 2− is the predominant species, Ce(III)PMo 11O 38 2− is quite diminished, and H 2Ce(III)P 2Mo 22O 75 3− is absent. As a result of the complex isotopic fingerprints from multiple molybdenums, compositions of such ions are difficult to assign—successive collision induced dissociation (CID) of large ions produced smaller ions for which calculated and experimental isotopic patterns could be compared. The oxidation state of Ce and the number of counter cations on negative complexes was discerned from spectra of ions containing 1H + and 7Li +. The overall result is an ESI method applicable to phosphomolybdate complexes containing redox sensitive f-block metal ions such as Ce(IV) and Pu(III/IV). Dissociation studies also gave insight into favored fragmentation pathways, and generated gas ions with empirical formulae similar to known condensed-phase ions. Deconvolution of concentration- and pH-dependent solution behavior via ESI/MS and 31P NMR spectroscopy showed speciation dependent on solution concentration, not on pH.

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of the cerium(III)-phosphomolybdate complex (NH4)11Ce(PMo11O39)2

AbstractElectrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry of the ammonium lanthanide(III) phosphomolybdate complex (NH4)11Ce(III)(PMo11O39)2 has been conducted revealing the Ce-POM complexes H2Ce(III)P2Mo22O753- and Ce(III)PMo11O382- as the primary Ce species in 10 mM solutions. From the complex isotopic fingerprints produced through the assembly of multiple molybdenum atoms, a transition metal with seven naturally occurring isotopes, the identities of larger ions were confirmed via successive collision induced dissociation (CID) studies of the gas phase ions. The result of these CID studies was the production of smaller ions with reduced molybdenum content, allowing for comparison between calculated and experimental isotopic distributions. CID studies also provided insights into favored fragmentation pathways. These studies provide a basis to explore speciation and ESI behavior of actinide cluster complexes.

Solvation in Gas-Phase Reactions of Sulfonic Groups Containing Ionic Liquids in Electrospray Ionization Quadrupole Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry

In electrospray ionization (ESI) quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry, certain fragment ions generated in the ion trap from a series of sulfonic group containing ionic liquids (ILs) are found to undergo ion-molecule reactions with ESI solvent molecules (water, acetonitrile and methanol) to form adduct species. These unexpected solvated fragment ions severely complicate the interpretation of mass spectrometric data. Multi-stage fragmentation mass spectra were used to ascertain the chemical structures of these adduct species. It is important that solvation must be taken into account in order to prevent erroneous data interpretation for sulfonic group containing ILs.

Diastereochemical differentiation of bicyclic diols using metal complexation and collision‐induced dissociation mass spectrometry

Metal complex formation was investigated for di-exo-, di-endo- and trans-2,3- and 2,5-disubstituted trinorbornanediols, and di-exo- and di-endo- 2,3-disubstituted camphanediols using different divalent transition metals (Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+)) and electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry. Many metal-coordinated complex ions were formed for cobalt and nickel: [2M+Met](2+), [3M+Met](2+), [M-H+Met](+), [2M-H+Met](+), [M+MetX](+), [2M+MetX](+) and [3M-H+Co](+), where M is the diol, Met is the metal used and X is the counter ion (acetate, chloride, nitrate). Copper showed the weakest formation of metal complexes with di-exo-2,3-disubstituted trinorbornanediol yielding only the minor singly charged ions [M-H+Cu](+), [2M-H+Cu](+) and [2M+CuX](+). No clear differences were noted for cobalt complex formation, especially for cis-2,3-disubstituted isomers. However, 2,5-disubstituted trinorbornanediols showed moderate diastereomeric differentiation because of the unidentate nature of the sterically more hindered exo-isomer. trans-Isomers gave rise to abundant [3M-H+Co](+) ion products, which may be considered a characteristic ion for bicyclo[221]heptane trans-2,3- and trans-2,5-diols. To differentiate cis-2,3-isomers, the collision-induced dissociation (CID) products for [3M+Co](2+), [M+CoOAc](+), [2M-H+Co](+) and [2M+CoOAc](+) cobalt complexes were investigated. The results of the CID of the monomeric and dimeric metal adduct complexes [M+CoOAc](+) and [2M-H+Co](+) were stereochemically controlled and could be used for stereochemical differentiation of the compounds investigated. In addition, the structures and relative energies of some complex ions were studied using hybrid density functional theory calculations.

Cu(II)-Catalyzed Reactions in Ternary [Cu(AA)(AA – H)]+Complexes (AA = Gly, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, t-Leu, Phe)

The unimolecular chemistry of [Cu(II)AA(AA - H)](+) complexes, composed of an intact and a deprotonated amino acid (AA) ligand, have been probed in the gas phase by tandem and multistage mass spectrometry in an electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The amino acids examined include Gly, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, t-Leu and Phe. Upon collisionally-activated dissociation (CAD), the [Cu(II)AA(AA - H)](+) complexes undergo decarboxylation with simultaneous reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I); during this process, a radical site is created at the alpha-carbon of the decarboxylated ligand (H(2)N(1) - (*)C(alpha)H - C(beta)H(2) - R; R = side chain substituent). The radical site is able to move along the backbone of the decarboxylated amino acid to form two new radicals (HN(1)(*) - C(alpha)H(2) - C(beta)H(2) - R and H(2)N(1) - C(alpha)H(2) - (*)C(beta)H - R). From the complexes of Gly and t-Leu, only C(alpha) and N(1) radicals can be formed. The whole radical ligand can be lost to form [Cu(I)AA](+) from these three isomeric radicals. Alternatively, further radical induced dissociations can take place along the backbone of the decarboxylated amino acid ligand to yield [Cu(II)AA(AA - 2H - CO(2))](+), [Cu(I)AA((*)NH(2))](+), [Cu(I)AA(HN = C(alpha)H(2))](+), or [Cu(I)AA(H(2)N - C(alpha)H = C(beta)H - R'](+) (R' = partial side chain substituent). The sodiated copper complexes, [Cu(II)(AA - H + Na)(AA - H)](+), show the same fragmentation patterns as their non-sodiated counterparts; sodium ion is retained on the intact amino acid ligand and is not involved in the CAD pathways. The amino groups of both AA units, the carbonyl group of the intact amino acid, and the deprotonated hydroxyl oxygen coordinate Cu(II) in square-planar fashion. Ab initio calculations indicate that the metal ion facilitates hydrogen atom shuttling between the N(1), C(alpha) and C(beta) atoms of the decarboxylated amino acid ligand. The dissociations of the decarboxylated radical ions unveil important insight about the so far largely unknown intrinsic chemistry of alpha-amino acid and peptide radicals, which are implicated as intermediates in numerous pathogenic biological processes.

Quantifying size distributions of nanolipoprotein particles with single-particle analysis and molecular dynamic simulations

Self-assembly of purified apolipoproteins and phospholipids results in the formation of nanometer-sized lipoprotein complexes, referred to as nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs). These bilayer constructs are fully soluble in aqueous environments and hold great promise as a model system to aid in solubilizing membrane proteins. Size variability in the self-assembly process has been recognized for some time, yet limited studies have been conducted to examine this phenomenon. Understanding the source of this heterogeneity may lead to methods to mitigate heterogeneity or to control NLP size, which may be important for tailoring NLPs for specific membrane proteins. Here, we have used atomic force microscopy, ion mobility spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy to quantify NLP size distributions on the single-particle scale, specifically focusing on assemblies with 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and a recombinant apolipoprotein E variant containing the N-terminal 22 kDa fragment (E422k). Four discrete sizes of E422k/DMPC NLPs were identified by all three techniques, with diameters centered at approximately 14.5, 19, 23.5, and 28 nm. Computer simulations suggest that these sizes are related to the structure and number of E422k lipoproteins surrounding the NLPs and particles with an odd number of lipoproteins are consistent with the double-belt model, in which at least one lipoprotein adopts a hairpin structure.

Rapid separation and identification of phenolic and diterpenoid constituents from Radix Salvia miltiorrhizae by high‐performance liquid chromatography diode‐array detection, electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry

High-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS) and electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MSn) were used for the isolation, identification and structural analysis of water-soluble phenolic and nonpolar diterpenoid constituents in Dan-shen (Radix Salvia miltiorrhizae) which was prepared by sonication in 70% methanol. Mass spectra were obtained by ESI-TOF-MS and electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-QIT-MS). A formula database of known constituents in Dan-shen was established and most constituents were rapidly identified by HPLC-DAD/ESI-TOF-MS by matching their accurate molecular masses with the formulae of the compounds in the database. Compounds with the same molecular formula could not be differentiated by TOF-MS; however, QIT-MS could differentiate those compounds and elucidate their structures based on their characteristic fragmentation. HPLC-DAD, HPLC/ESI-TOF-MS and HPLC/ESI-MSn provided complementary information for the identification of the constituents in Dan-shen. Forty constituents were identified in 30 min based on their positive and negative ion ESI mass spectra and liquid chromatographic information. Thus the method described is useful for the rapid analysis of multiple constituents in Dan-shen.

Allelic loss analysis by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Analysis of allelic imbalance is of great importance for understanding tumorigenesis and the clinical management of malignant disease. Fluorescent-based capillary electrophoresis (CE) of highly polymorphic short tandem repeats (STRs) has become the main method used to detect the loss/gain of alleles. However, there is continued interest in the development of techniques that require no fluorescence and allow the rapid analysis of individual samples. One promising alternative is ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (IP-RP-HPLC), which is widely available because of its use in denaturing HPLC. Its applicability in combination with ultraviolet (UV) absorbance detection to the efficient separation of di- and tetranucleotide repeats on the short arm of chromosome 11 was tested using 25 matched pairs of normal and ovarian cancer tissues. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) could be readily identified for all 13 loci tested, based on changes in the ratios between either the alleles or homo- and heteroduplex signals. However, discrimination between noninformative homo- or hemizygous and heterozygous samples was difficult or impossible when HPLC failed to resolve the alleles. Hyphenation of HPLC with electrospray ionization (ESI) quadrupole ion trap (IT) mass spectrometry (MS) not only allowed the identification of coeluting alleles, but also the reliable detection of a 40% reduction of one allele. The size range of DNA fragments amenable to mass spectrometric analysis was effectively tripled to >300 bp by the use of a linear IT and a Taq DNA polymerase cocktail lacking detergents that otherwise adversely affect ESI.

Coliphage N4 N-Acetylmuramidase Defines a New Family of Murein Hydrolases

Escherichia coli phage N4 infection leads to delayed host cell lysis, 3000 particles per infected bacterium and a small plaque phenotype. We show that bacteriophage N4 encodes a murein hydrolase (gp61) that is essential for N4 plaque-forming ability. gp61 has a high level of sequence similarity to hypothetical proteobacterial proteins, and Vibrio harveyi phage VHML ORF 19. Nano-electrospray ionization (nESI) quadrupole ion trap (QIT) mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of muropeptides from purified gp61 digestion of E. coli peptidoglycan indicates that gp61 is an N-acetylmuramidase. The EGGY motif present near the N terminus of gp61 and its homologs contains the glutamic acid residue essential for enzymatic activity. These results provide evidence that N4 gp61 and its homologs define a new family of N-acetylmuramidases (pfam05838.4, DUF847, COG3926). In contrast to its homologs, gp61 contains an N-terminal signal sequence. When expressed at levels present during phage infection, gp61 localizes primarily to the cell inner membrane; in contrast, over-expression of recombinant N4 gp61 is sufficient for rapid cell lysis. Overproduction of the recombinant Salmonella typhimurium (STM0016) homolog is sufficient for cell lysis only when fused to the gp61 N-terminal signal sequence. The results of subcellular localization and of mutagenesis of the gp61 N-terminal signal sequence indicate that gp61 must be released from the inner membrane to be catalytically active.

Identification of isomeric flavonoid glucuronides in urine and plasma by metal complexation and LC‐ESI‐MS/MS

Noncovalent complexes were used for structural determination and isomer differentiation of flavonoid glucuronides. Several flavonoid glucuronides including naringenin-7-O-glucuronide, synthesized here for the first time, were used as test compounds. Electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry with collision-induced dissociation (CID) was used to analyze complexes of the form [Co(II) (L-H) (Aux)]+ and [Co(II) (L-H) (Aux)2]+, in which L is the flavonoid glucuronide and Aux is a phenanthroline-based ligand. These complexes yielded characteristic fragmentation patterns that facilitated assignment of the substitution position of the glucuronides. The methods were adapted to liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with postcolumn cobalt complexation and were tested on extracts from biological fluids. The metabolites naringenin-7-O-glucuronide and naringenin-4'-O-glucuronide were detected in human urine following the consumption of grapefruit juice. Isomeric quercetin glucuronides were identified and differentiated after spiking rat plasma at the 1 microM level, proving that the new methods are effective at biologically relevant concentrations.

Investigating Bidentate and Tridentate Carbamoylmethylphosphine Oxide Ligand Interactions with Rare-Earth Elements Using Electrospray Ionization Quadrupole Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry

Electrospray ionization (ESI) quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (QIT-MS) and collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) were used to evaluate the rare-earth binding properties of two hydrophobic carbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) ligands, the normal bidentate variety, (t-BuC6H4)2P(O)CH2C(O)N(i-Bu)2 (A), a new potentially tridentate extractant, (t-BuC6H4)2P(O)CH[CH2C(O)N(i-Bu)2]C(O)N(i-Bu)2 (B), and tributyl phosphate. The mass spectral results obtained from analysis of 1% HNO3/methanol solution containing the ligands and dissolved lanthanide salts reveal that the favorable stoichiometries of the ligand/metal/nitrate complexes are 2:1:2 for the bidentate ligand A, 1:1:2 for the tridentate ligand B, and 3:1:2 for the monodentate tributyl phosphate. These observed stoichiometries correlate with the number of available binding sites on each ligand as well as with potential steric effects. Energy-variable collisionally activated dissociation experiments showed that for the 2:1:2 complexes involving ligand A or B, as the ionic radius of the bound metal decreased, the removal of nitric acid required less energy and resulted in less extensive spontaneous solvent coordination. This experimental trend suggests that, as the ionic radius of the lanthanide ion decreases, a pair of the carbamoylmethylphosphine ligands is able to more completely solvate the bound metal ion thereby weakening the nitrate-metal interaction.

Electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry for structural characterization of oligosaccharides derivatized with 2‐aminobenzamide

The use of electrospray ionization (ESI) quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the characterization of 2-aminobenzamide (2AB)-labeled oligosaccharides and N-linked protein oligosaccharide mixtures is described. The major signals were obtained under these conditions from the [M+Na]+ ions for all 2AB-derivatized oligosaccharides. Under collision-induced dissociation, sodiated molecular species generated in the ESI mode yield simple and predictable mass spectra. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments with orders higher than two offer a number of ways to enhance MS/MS spectra and to derive information not present in MS and MS2 spectra. Information on composition, sequence, branching and, to some extent, interglycosidic linkages can be deduced from fragments resulting from the cleavage of glycosidic bonds and from weak cross-ring cleavage products. Reversed-phase HPLC and derivatization by reductive amination using 2-aminobenzamide were finally applied to characterize a glycan pool enzymatically released from glycoproteins.

Capillary liquid chromatography with MS3 for the determination of enkephalins in microdialysis samples from the striatum of anesthetized and freely–moving rats

In vivo microdialysis sampling was coupled to capillary liquid chromatography (LC)/electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) to monitor [Met]enkephalin and [Leu]enkephalin in the striatum of anesthetized and freely-moving rats. The LC system utilized a high-pressure pump to load 2.5 microl samples and desalt the 25 microm i.d. by 2 cm long column in 12 min. Samples were eluted with a separate pump at approximately 100 nl min(-1). A rapid gradient effectively separated the endogenous neuropeptides in 4 min. A comparison was made for operating the mass spectrometer in the MS2 and MS3 modes for detection of the peptides. In standard solutions, the detection limits were similar at 1-2 pM (2-4 amol injected); however, the reproducibility was improved with MS3 as the relative standard deviation was <5% compared with 20% for MS2 for 60 pM samples. For dialysate solutions, reconstructed ion chromatograms and tandem mass spectra had much higher signal-to-noise ratios in the MS3 mode, resulting in more confident detection at in vivo concentrations. The method was successfully used to monitor the peptides under basal conditions and with stimulation of peptide secretion by infusion of elevated K+ concentration.

Folding analysis of hormonal polypeptide calcitonins and the oxidized calcitonins using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry combined with H/D exchange

Conformational change of calcitonins has been examined by measuring the rate of hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange in amino acids. Time dependent m/z shift caused by H/D exchange was monitored by electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-QIT MS). The rate constants of H/D exchange were calculated from apparent first-order kinetics. The time course of H/D exchange exhibited two phases of faster and slower exchange. The smaller rate constant (k2) estimated from the slower H/D exchange was correlated with an alpha-helix content that reflected the folding state. The order of k2 values obtained for human calcitonin (hCT), porcine calcitonin (pCT), salmon calcitonin (sCT), and elcatonin (ECT) was hCT > pCT approximately sCT > ECT. Although the amino acid sequence of sCT is similar to that of ECT, their k2 values were considerably different. The results suggest that ECT is relatively rigid on the N-terminal side cyclic structure in the folded state. Further, the effect of methionine oxidation on k2 has been examined. In the oxidized pCT that possesses similar biological activity with the intact pCT, the k2 values obtained were nearly equal. The k2 of hCT increased via methionine oxidation, and the biological activity was weakened by oxidation. This suggested that methionine oxidation of hCT produced unfolding in the secondary structure and that oxidative unfolding of hCT led to the loss of biological activity. The results indicate that the H/D exchange rate constant may be used as an informative parameter to elucidate the relationship between the folded state and biological activity of polypeptides like calcitonins with secondary structure.

Multiple-stage mass spectrometric analysis of six pesticides in oranges by liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–ion trap mass spectrometry

Six pesticides were determined by liquid chromatography (LC) with positive ion (PI) atmospheric pressure chemical ionization quadrupole ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (APCI–MS–MS). Ion fragmentation was studied by MS, MS 2 and MS 3. Fragmentation of the pesticides produced ions formed by various losses from the side-chains and through heterocyclic ring opening, but without any common fragmentation pathway. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of MS, MS 2 and MS 3 was used to identify and quantify the pesticides. The samples were extracted with ethyl acetate and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Comparison of the three MS modes showed that MS 3 is slightly less sensitive but much more selective. Recoveries from oranges were 72–94% at the limit of quantification (LOQ) level for all MS modes. The LOQs were 0.001–0.3 mg kg −1 quantifying by means of the MS 3 product ion. The method was used to analyse a number of orange samples. This is the first report on using MS 3 product ions for quantification of pesticide residues.