Arrival time distributions of product ions reveal isomeric ratio of deprotonated molecules in ion mobility–mass spectrometry of hyaluronan‐derived oligosaccharides

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring linear polysaccharide with substantial medical potential. In this work, discrimination of tyramine‐based hyaluronan derivatives was accessed by ion mobility–mass spectrometry of deprotonated molecules and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. As the product ion mass spectra did not allow for direct isomer discrimination in mixture, the reductive labeling of oligosaccharides as well as stable isotope labeling was performed. The ion mobility separation of parent ions together with the characteristic fragmentation for reduced isomers providing unique product ions allowed us to identify isomers present in a mixture and determine their mutual isomeric ratio. The determination used simple recalculation of arrival time distribution areas of unique ions to areas of deprotonated molecules. Mass spectrometry data were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification and separation of saxitoxins using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to traveling wave ion mobility‐mass spectrometry

The aim of this work was to develop a reliable and efficient analytical method to characterise and differentiate saxitoxin analogues (STX), including sulphated (gonyautoxins, GTX) and non‐sulphated analogues. For this purpose, hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) was used to separate sulphated analogues. We also resorted to ion mobility spectrometry to differentiate the STX analogues because this technique adds a new dimension of separation based on ion gas phase conformation. Positive and negative ionisation modes were used for gonyautoxins while positive ionisation mode was used for non‐sulphated analogues. Subsequently, the coupling of these three complementary techniques, HILIC‐IM‐MS, permitted the separation and identification of STX analogues; isomer differentiation was achieved in HILIC dimension while non‐sulphated analogues were separated in the IM‐MS dimension. Additional structural characteristics concerning the conformation of STXs could be obtained using IM‐MS measurements. Thus, the collision cross sections (CCS) of STXs are reported for the first time in the positive ionisation mode. These experimental CCSs correlated well with the calculated CCS values using the trajectory method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure and further fragmentation of significant [a3 + Na − H]+ ions from sodium‐cationized peptides

A good understanding of gas‐phase fragmentation chemistry of peptides is important for accurate protein identification. Additional product ions obtained by sodiated peptides can provide useful sequence information supplementary to protonated peptides and improve protein identification. In this work, we first demonstrate that the sodiated a₃ ions are abundant in the tandem mass spectra of sodium‐cationized peptides although observations of a₃ ions have rarely been reported in protonated peptides. Quantum chemical calculations combined with tandem mass spectrometry are used to investigate this phenomenon by using a model tetrapeptide GGAG. Our results reveal that the most stable [a₃ + Na ? H]⁺ ion is present as a bidentate linear structure in which the sodium cation coordinates to the two backbone carbonyl oxygen atoms. Due to structural inflexibility, further fragmentation of the [a₃ + Na ? H]⁺ ion needs to overcome several relatively high energetic barriers to form [b₂ + Na ? H]⁺ ion with a diketopiperazine structure. As a result, low abundance of [b₂ + Na ? H]⁺ ion is detected at relatively high collision energy. In addition, our computational data also indicate that the common oxazolone pathway to generate [b₂ + Na ? H]⁺ from the [a₃ + Na ? H]⁺ ion is unlikely. The present work provides a mechanistic insight into how a sodium ion affects the fragmentation behaviors of peptides. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improved ion optics for introduction of ions into a 9.4‐T Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer

Enhancements to the ion source and transfer optics of our 9.4 T Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) mass spectrometer have resulted in improved ion transmission efficiency for more sensitive mass measurement of complex mixtures at the MS and MS/MS levels. The tube lens/skimmer has been replaced by a dual ion funnel and the following octopole by a quadrupole for reduced ion cloud radial expansion before transmission into a mass‐selective quadrupole. The number of ions that reach the ICR cell is increased by an order of magnitude for the funnel/quadrupole relative to the tube lens/skimmer/octopole. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

(−)‐Englerin A is a Potent and Selective Activator of TRPC4 and TRPC5 Calcium Channels

Current therapies for common types of cancer such as renal cell cancer are often ineffective and unspecific, and novel pharmacological targets and approaches are in high demand. Here we show the unexpected possibility for the rapid and selective killing of renal cancer cells through activation of calcium‐permeable nonselective transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) calcium channels by the sesquiterpene (?)‐englerin A. This compound was found to be a highly efficient, fast‐acting, potent, selective, and direct stimulator of TRPC4 and TRPC5 channels. TRPC4/5 activation through a high‐affinity extracellular (?)‐englerin A binding site may open up novel opportunities for drug discovery aimed at renal cancer.     

用于细胞成像的双氰基二苯代乙烯衍生物双光子荧光银离子探针

双光子荧光显微成像兼具诸如近红外激发、暗场成像、避免荧光漂白和光致毒、定靶激发、高横向分辨率与纵向分辨率、降低生物组织吸光系数及降低组织自发荧光干扰等特点,显著地优于单光子荧光显微成像,为生命科学研究提供了更为便利的工具.因此双光子荧光探针适合于生物检测与成像.制备了衍生于二苯代乙烯的双光子荧光银离子探针,此探针以拥有异常大的双光子吸收截面(6TPA)的4-甲基-2,5-二氰基-4'-氨基二苯乙烯(DCS)作为双光子荧光母体,以6-芳基-3,9-二硫-6-氮杂癸烷(TAU)为Ag+配体.探针显示了大的δTPA(在MeCN中,950 GM)、对银离子有高的灵敏性与选择性、强的双光子荧光(790 nm激光激发时).探针的络合常数为IgK=5.76±0.05.探针能选择性地检测和成像活细胞中的游离Ag+,可用于细胞中微量Ag+的分析检测与成像.此探针为开发理想的双光子荧光探针提供了可供借鉴的平台.     

快原子轰击离子化质谱研究酚类化合物抗氧化作用

为了建立简便、快速筛选高效、低毒的新型抗氧化药物的方法,本研究采用快原子轰击离子化质谱( FAB-MS)对酚类化合物抗氧化作用强弱进行了研究。考察了基质、轰击时间和样本浓度对FAB-MS 谱中分子离子(M+·)相对强度的影响,研究了黄酮类化合物在FAB-MS谱中的I(M+·)/I([M+H]+)比值与其抗氧化活性的相关性。对12种酚类化合物的抗氧化活性进行了预测与评价,并与硫代巴比妥酸法( TBA)检测的脂质过氧化抑制率进行比较,验证 FAB-MS 方法的可靠性。结果表明,由 FAB-MS 获得的 I ( M+·)/I([ M+H]+)比值能较好地反映酚类化合物抗氧化作用的强弱,可以作为抗氧化剂的体外筛选或预测方法,有助于加速新型抗氧化药物的发现。     

高效液相色谱-同位素稀释质谱法定量分析人生长激素

建立了人生长激素( hGH)纯化分析和高效液相色谱( HPLC)与同位素稀释质谱( IDMS)联用高准确度绝对定量方法。采用快速蛋白液相色谱来分离纯化hGH,以傅里叶变换离子回旋共振质谱仪( FTICR-MS)准确地测定蛋白质的分子质量。纯化的hGH经酸水解后,采用KINETEX C18色谱柱为分析柱,以水(含0.1%三氟乙酸)和乙腈为流动相,等梯度分离,流速0.2 mL/min,温度40℃,采用电喷雾正离子模式进行电离,选择多反应监测模式进行检测,内标法定量分析。结果表明,FTICR-MS所测得的分子量实测值与理论值仅相差0.31 Da,脯氨酸、缬氨酸和苯丙氨酸在液相条件下5 min内达到基线分离,在最优条件下,hGH含量测定结果为186.80 mg/g,相对标准偏差为0.52%。利用本方法参加国际比对,比对结果与参考值等效一致。本方法具有简易、实用的特点,并且准确可靠,可作为hGH纯品标准物质的定值方法,为hGH的日常检测提供参考。     

锂离子电容器(LIC)产业前沿技术研究进展

新能源战略体系的建设和电子技术的飞速发展对储能器件的性能提出了更高的要求,锂离子电容器是将锂离子电池和双电层电容器“内部交叉”的新型混合储能器件,兼具高能量密度和高功率密度,近年来引起了国内外的广泛关注.本文阐述了锂离子电容器的工作原理和国内外产业发展现状,总结了碳负极的预赋锂技术、电极材料与体系匹配性研究等关键技术前沿的研究成果,并提出了后续产业化研究中所需要解决的实际问题.     

Li17Sb13S28: A New Lithium Ion Conductor and addition to the Phase Diagram Li2S–Sb2S3

Li₁₇Sb₁₃S₂₈ was synthesized by solid‐state reaction of stoichiometric amounts of anhydrous Li₂S and Sb₂S₃. The crystal structure of Li₁₇Sb₁₃S₂₈ was determined from dark‐red single crystals at room temperature. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m (no. 12) with a=12.765(2) Å, b=11.6195(8) Å, c=9.2564(9) Å, β=119.665(6)°, V=1193.0(2) ų, and Z=4 (data at 20 °C, lattice constants from powder diffraction). The crystal structure contains one cation site with a mixed occupation by Li and Sb, and one with an antimony split position. Antimony and sulfur form slightly distorted tetragonal bipyramidal [SbS₅E] units (E=free electron pair). Six of these units are arranged around a vacancy in the anion substructure. The lone electron pairs E of the antimony(III) cations are arranged around these vacancies. Thus, a variant of the rock salt structure type with ordered vacancies in the anionic substructure results. Impedance spectroscopic measurements of Li₁₇Sb₁₃S₂₈ show a specific conductivity of 2.9×10^?9 Ω^?1 cm^?1 at 323 K and of 7.9×10^?6 Ω^?1 cm^?1 at 563 K, the corresponding activation energy is E_A=0.4 eV below 403 K and E_A=0.6 eV above. Raman spectra are dominated by the Sb?S stretching modes of the [SbS₅] units at 315 and 341 cm^?1 at room temperature. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements of Li₁₇Sb₁₃S₂₈ indicate peritectic melting at 854 K.