Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using a visible laser

Visible matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (VIS-MALDI) was performed using 2-amino-3-nitrophenol as matrix. The matrix is of near-neutral pH, and has an optical absorption band in the near-UV and visible region. A frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser operated at 532 nm wavelength was used for matrix excitation and comparisons were made with a frequency-tripled Nd:YAG laser (355 nm). Visible and ultraviolet (UV)-MALDI produce similar mass spectra for peptides, polymers, and small proteins with comparable sensitivities. Due to the smaller optical absorption coefficient of the matrix at 532 nm wavelength, the optical penetration depth is larger, and the sample consumption per laser shot in VIS-MALDI is higher than that of UV-MALDI. Nevertheless, VIS-MALDI using 2-amino-3-nitrophenol as matrix may offer a complementary technique to the conventional UV-MALDI method in applications where deeper laser penetration is required.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of taxanes

Taxanes are biologically active compounds that have been extensively used in pharmacology for their powerful anticancer properties. High specificity and low level sensitivity for analysis of these compounds have been obtained with reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC/MS), but the number of applications of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) for low molecular weight analytes is rapidly growing. A new MALDI-MS approach for the rapid screening of a variety of taxanes and a tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) analysis of the most important and diagnostic taxane fragmentation pathways are proposed. A solid-phase extraction method followed by preliminary quantification is also reported.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry for identification of shrimp

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time of flight mass spectrometry was used to identify shrimp at the species level using commercial mass spectral fingerprint matching software (Bruker Biotyper). In the first step, a mass spectrum reference database was constructed from the analysis of six commercially important shrimp species: Litopenaeus setiferus, Farfantepenaeus aztecus, Sicyonia brevirostris, Pleoticus robustus, Pandalopsis dispar and Pandalus platyceros. This step required a desalting procedure for optimum performance. In the second step, the reference database was tested using 74 unknown shrimp samples from these six species. Correct identification was achieved for 72 of 74 samples (97%): 72 samples were identified at the species level and 2 samples were identified at the genus level using the manufacturer's log score specifications. The MALDI fingerprinting method for the identification of shrimp species was found to be reproducible and accurate with rapid analysis.     

Matrix-assisted filament desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

We describe an improved sample preparation method for pulsed filament desorption–ionization mass spectrometry. Samples were deposited in the presence of an excess of liquid or solid matrices. Especially with liquid matrices such as glycerol, this allowed stable and reproducible ion production for a variety of compounds, including biomolecules and synthetic polymers. Substances with molecular weights up to 3000 Da could be desorbed, ionized, and detected by time-of-flight mass spectrometry.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of collected bioaerosol particles

A method was developed for collection and analysis of bioaerosols by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry using a modified Andersen N6 bioaerosol collector. The overall goal of the study was to develop methods for obtaining mass spectra with minimal reagents and treatment steps for potential use in remote collection and analysis systems. Test bioaerosol particles were generated from a nebulized E. coli bacterial suspension and collected on MALDI targets placed in an Andersen N6 single-stage aerosol impactor. The bioaerosols were mixed with matrix either by deposition on a bare target with the matrix solution added later, or by deposition on a target pre-coated with matrix. The matrix compounds alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) and sinapic acid (SA) were tested and the SA matrix was found to give the best results in number of peaks, resolution, and signal-to-noise ratio. Deposition of bioaerosol particles onto the matrix pre-coated target did not produce signal in the m/z region above 1000, but the signal could be recovered with the addition of a 1:1 (v/v) acetonitrile/water solvent. Addition of solvent by pipette to the pre-coated targets after particle deposition recovered signal comparable to the dried-droplet sample preparations, whereas solvent sprayed into the impactor recovered fewer peaks. Deposition on pre-coated targets with post-collection solvent addition was superior to deposition on bare target followed by post-collection addition of matrix solution.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry of fullerenes

Atandem reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer developed in our laboratory provides a unique opportunity to investigate the collision-induced dissociation of fullerene ions formed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). Specifically, this opportunity arises from the ability to utilize high energy collisional activation (normally available only on tandem sector instruments by using continuous ionization techniques) for ions formed by pulsed laser desorption, whereas most MALDI time-of-flight instruments record product ion mass spectra of ions formed by metastable or postsource decay. In this study we investigate the products of mass-selected and collisionally activated C ₆₀ ⁺ and C ₇₀ ⁺ ions by using different target gases over a range of target gas pressures. In general, heavier target gases produce more extensive fragmentation and improve the mass resolution of lower mass ionic products because a greater portion of these ions are formed by single collisions. Additionally, the tandem time-of-flight instrument utilizes a nonlinear (curved-field) reflectron in the second mass analyzer that enables high energy collision-induced dissociation spectra to be recorded without scanning or stepping the reflectron voltage.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the analysis of polydienes

An analytical method based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry has been developed to provide information on oligomer structure, average molecular weight, and molecular weight distributions of polydienes (e.g., polybutadiene and polyisoprene), an important class of industrial polymers. This MALDI method involves the use of all-trans-retinoic acid as the matrix, copper (II) nitrate as the cationization reagent, and tetrahydrofuran as the solvent. The incorporation of this copper salt generates Cu⁺ adducts with the polymer chains. It also improves the signal strength and extends the upper mass range when used with all-trans-retinoic acid, as compared to silver nitrate. With this formulation, it is demonstrated that polybutadienes of narrow polydispersity with masses up to 300,000 u and polyisoprenes of narrow polydispersity with masses up to 150,000 u can be analyzed. The upper molecular weight limit is set by the requirement of using higher matrix-to-polymer ratios with increasing polymer molecular weight, to the point where the instrument can no longer detect the small quantity of polymer present in the matrix host. It is also shown that this sample preparation generates previously unreported adduction behavior. The practical implications of this adduction behavior on polymer structural analysis, accuracy of molecular weight determination, and the upper molecular weight limit of oligomer resolution are discussed. It is illustrated that, in a linear time-lag focusing MALDI instrument, oligomer resolution can be obtained for polydienes with molecular weights up to 24,000, providing structural confirmation of the end-groups and the repeat unit. The average molecular weights of a number of polydienes of narrow polydispersity determined by MALDI are compared to those obtained by gel permeation chromatography, and discrepancies are noted.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry compatible beta-elimination of O-linked oligosaccharides

A new beta-elimination procedure has been introduced to cleave O-linked oligosaccharides from low- to sub-microgram amounts of glycoproteins prior to analysis by mass spectrometry. Borane-ammonia complex in aqueous ammonia is used as a cleaving solution alternative to the sodium borohydride/sodium hydroxide medium conventionally used in beta-elimination. The procedure results in minimum sample purification, leading to minimal sample loss and consequently an overall enhancement in sensitivity. It was applied successfully in the analysis of bovine fetuin and submaxillary mucin, as well as to a complex bile-salt-stimulated lipase glycoprotein isolated from human milk.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of dextran and dextrin derivatives

Application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) to the analysis of dextran and dextrin derivatives, specifically glucose saccharides, by time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry has been reported. MALDI-TOF analysis was carried out on alpha-, beta- and gamma-cyclodextrin, two O-methylated-beta-cyclodextrins of differing degrees of substitution (DS) and dextrans (a linear glucose saccharide), as pure and doped solutions and as mixtures of two or more of these. Doping was carried out with trace amounts of inorganic salts. The purpose of the analysis of the cyclodextrins was to determine whether they would form inclusion complexes with the various cations added, or whether less specific cation addition/exchange was occurring either prior to desorption or in the gas phase.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry with re-engineered 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid derivative

Dihydroxybenzoic acid was modified to three analogues (M2, M4 and M6). The analogues exhibited specific properties that resulted in enhancement of analyte signal intensity with or without addition of iodine compared to the underivatized parent. Addition of iodine to M2, an ester of dihydroxybenzoic acid that had a terminal double bond in the alkyl chain, resulted in peak intensities comparable to the parent, indicating that iodine interaction across the double bond resulted in enhancement although the exact mechanism is not fully understood. No enhancement on addition of iodine was observed for M4, which had a long alkyl chain that contained no double bonds. The alkyl chain allowed micelle formation in solution, which in turn allowed more uniform analyte-to-matrix mixing. The final analogue combined the long alkyl chain of M4 with the double bond of M2 and exhibited either similar peak intensities to that of dihydroxybenzoic acid or better. Micelle formation in solution was examined using spectroscopy and in the solid by reflective microscopy. The standard deviation from spot to spot was considerably lower relative to dihydroxybenzoic acid (RSD 3.4%vs. 14.2%). Unlike dihydroxybenzoic acid, the novel matrix M6 was able to yield characteristic peaks for analytes such as ubiquitin.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization of high-mass molecules by Fourier-transform mass spectrometry.

Following the first demonstrations of high-mass analysis using time-of-flight matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) techniques by Hillenkamp, Tanaka and their co-workers, there have been significant efforts in a number of laboratories to adapt the new methodology to Fourier-transform mass spectrometry (FTMS). The motivation for this research is obvious. Namely, it would be desirable to couple the unparalleled high mass resolution of FTMS with the extended mass range provided by MALDI, particularly for analysis of polymers and biomolecules. Unfortunately, prior to the present work, attempts to mate FTMS and MALDI have met with limited success. The highest mass matrix-assisted laser-desorption-FTMS result previously obtained appears to be the unpublished low resolution spectrum of bovine insulin recently reported by Russell and co-workers. We, Campana and co-workers, and Hettich and Buchanan have had some success with MALDI-FTMS of biomolecules with masses lower than 3000 Da, including melittin, a variety of lower mass peptides, and oligonucleotides with masses lower than 1800 Da. Furthermore, with the single exception of Campana's report of obtaining mass resolution of 5000 for the molecular ion of melittin, such spectra have not displayed high resolution. Here, we report successful development of MALDI-FTMS, demonstrated with spectra obtained from a variety of high-mass polymer and biomolecule samples, using 355 nm radiation from an excimer-pumped dye laser for desorption/ionization and sinapinic acid as matrix. Some of these spectra are of much higher mass resolution than is possible with current time-of flight mass spectrometers.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry with additives to 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid

Selected benzoic acid derivatives and related substances were used as additives to 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5DHB) and the performance of the mixtures in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry was investigated. Using benzoic acid derivatives substituted at position 2 and/or 5 or related substances as a co-matrix in the 1–10% range with 2,5DHB results in improved ion yields and signal-to-noise ratio of analyte molecules, especially for the high-mass range. The enhanced performance is prominent for 2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid and exists for both proteins and oligosaccharides. It is suggested that the improvement is caused by a disorder in the 2,5DHB crystal lattice allowing ‘softer’ desorption. Charge transfer from matrix ions to additive molecules at the expense of analyte ionization gives a simple explanation for the deteriorating effects of some tested additives.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of lipids: ionization and prompt fragmentation patterns

Ionization and prompt fragmentation patterns of triacylglycerols, phospholipids (PLs) and galactolipids were investigated using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). Positive ions of non-nitrogen-containing lipids appeared only in the sodiated form, while nitrogen-containing lipids were detected as both sodiated and protonated adducts. Lipids containing acidic hydroxyls were detected as multiple sodium adducts or deprotonated ions in the positive and negative modes, respectively, with the exception of phosphatidylcholines. The positive MALDI spectra of triacylglycerols contained prompt fragments equivalent to the loss of RCOO(-) from the neutral molecules. Prompt fragment ions [PL-polar head](+) were observed in the positive MALDI spectra of all phospholipids except phosphatidylcholines. The phosphatidylcholines produced only a minor positive fragment corresponding to the head group itself (m/z 184). Galactolipids did not undergo prompt fragmentation. Post-source decay (PSD) was used to examine the source of prompt fragments. PSD fragment patterns indicated that the lipid prompt fragment ions did not originate from the observed molecular ions (sodiated or protonated), and suggested that the prompt fragmentation followed the formation of highly unstable, probably protonated, precursor ions. Pathways leading to the formation of prompt fragment ions are proposed.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for monitoring bacterial protein digestion in yogurt production

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry was employed to determine the changes in milk protein profile due to the action of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, the strains usually employed in yogurt production. Whereas the fermentation with the former shows the digestion of high molecular mass casein with the production of a low molecular mass peptide (3850 Da), the latter does not seem to exhibit any proteolytic activity. Proteolysis becomes relevant when milk is treated with a mixture of the two bacteria, reasonably due to symbiotic phenomena. The analysis of yogurt samples coming from industrial plants indicates increased activity of the two bacteria in the presence of ingredients containing sugars. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for metabolic flux analyses using isotope-labeled ethanol

We describe a novel method for the determination of the concentration and labeling degree of ethanol originating from 1-13C-labeling experiments. This method is suitable for high-throughput metabolic flux analysis because of the possible parallel sample preparation and fast final analysis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). In a closed vial containing culture supernatant, ethanol is enzymatically oxidized to acetaldehyde. The acetaldehyde formed evaporates and is readily trapped in a second enclosed but open vial containing acidified 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). The 2,4-acetaldehyde dinitrophenylhydrazone (Ac-DNPH) that is formed is insoluble under these conditions. This leads to a constant conversion rate of the acetaldehyde produced from ethanol after 14 h minimum incubation time. MALDI-TOFMS was used to quantify the formed Ac-DNPH with [13C2]-ethanol as internal standard. The relative signal intensities of the unlabeled ethanol derivative as well as of [1-13C]-ethanol were linearly related to the ethanol concentration within a range of 1 to 50 mM with a limit of detection of 0.6 mM, a range which is sufficient for flux analysis in microtiter plate fermentation experiments. The method allows the estimation of the [1-13C]-ethanol originating from 1-13C-labeling experiments of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. In experiments where the expected flux range was exceeded, unlabeled ethanol was determined with a linear range from 30 to 500 mM. Ethanol quantification using this method was compared with enzymatic analysis and exhibited differences of less than 3.3% on average. Comparison of flux partitioning ratios between glycolysis and the pentose-phosphate pathway (PPP) based on MALDI-TOFMS and gas chromatography (GC)/MS methods showed good agreement, with differences for ethanol and alanine labeling of only 4.3%.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry studies of low molecular weight dendrimers

We report the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry, with delayed extraction in the reflectron mode, for the characterization of low molecular weight dendrimers. 20 dendrimer samples were measured and 4 typical dendrimers, as examples, are discussed in detail. Several factors that affect the analysis including the matrices used, the concentrations of sample, the solvents and cationization reagent used, were investigated in detail. Experimental results indicate that the type of solvent can greatly influence exact mass measurement. However, sample preparation is generally not very critical for dendrimer analysis using MALDI-ToF since many kinds of matrices and a wide range of sample concentrations can be used efficiently. In addition, the Cs(+) ion can be used to enhance the efficiency of cationization. Some reasons for this behavior are discussed on the basis of results of calculations using Gaussian94 software (a connected system of programs for performing a variety of semi-empirical and ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculations).     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry analysis of glycans with co-derivatization of asparaginyl-oligosaccharides

As one of the most prevalent and complex post-translational modifications in biological systems, proteins glycosylation has drawn considerable attention in recent decades. Dissociation of the carbohydrates from glycoproteins may be the prerequisite step of glycomics experiments, which commonly performed by specific proteolysis. In this study, an alternative strategy was reported with nonspecific proteolysis in coupling with co-derivatization of TMPP-Ac and methylamidation for glycan moieties analysis by MALDI-MS. With the co-derivatization, a permanent positive charge was introduced to the Asn-glycans and the carboxylic groups were neutralized by methylamidation simultaneously. As a result, approximately 20 and 50-fold enhancement in the detection sensitivity was achieved for asialo-Asn and disialo-Asn respectively in comparison to their native counterparts. Ultimately, this developed strategy was successfully validated using three model glycoproteins, including ribonuclease B, ovalbumin and transferrin.     

基体辅助激光解吸质谱法测定蛋白质分子量

本文叙述用自行研制成功的激光微探针飞行时间质谱仪及采用基体辅助激光解吸的新方法, 对溶菌酶、细胞色素C、肌红蛋白、胰蛋白酶、蛋白酶、白蛋白等多种蛋白质的分子量进行测定, 并对蛋白质混合物进行分析, 得一以满意的结果。此方法测定蛋白质分子量具有速度快(十分钟一个样品), 准确度高(±1%-0.1%), 灵敏度高(10^-^1^2～10^-^1^5mol)等优点, 是传统生物方法难以比拟的。     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of underivatized and permethylated gangliosides

Underivatized and permethylated gangliosides have been studied by the matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALD) ionization technique. The samples investigated included commercially available and highly purified gangliosides from the human brain containing up to five sialic acid residues. Several permethylated gangliosides have also been studied, and MALD has proven successful in analyzing multicomponent mixtures of glycolipids with different fatty acyl residues. During the studies a variety of matrix and wavelength combinations have been tested in both the positive and negative ion modes. The best results have been obtained with the matrices 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydrazinobenzoic acid, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, and 6-aza-2-thiothymine. Negative ion mass spectra of the underivatized gangliosides have always been of better quality than the positive ion mass spectra, exhibiting better signal-to-noise ratio, better resolution, less fragmentation, and less adduct formation with Na⁺ and K⁺. With increasing number of sialic acid substituents the molecular ion region became less and less resolvable, leading to broadened peaks even in the negative ion mode. Fragmentation could frequently be observed in the negative ion mode, and it was pronounced in the positive ion mode. The major fragmentation pathways corresponded to loss of sialyl group(s) and to decarboxylation of one of the sialyl residues. For underivatized gangliosides the typical sample amount used was 10–20 pmol. Permethylation led to a significant improvement in sensitivity (two orders of magnitude); the detection limit of permethylated gangliosides was about 10 fmol. The higher stability of the permethylated compounds was indicated by the fact that positive ion mass spectra exhibited only a marginal extent of fragmentation.