Development of an LC-MS/MS method for aromatase inhibitor screening

Aromatase (CYP 19A1) is a key steroidogenic enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of androgen to estrogen. In this study, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for aromatase inhibitor screening was developed and validated. The substrate androstenedione was incubated with human CYP 19A1 supersomes in the presence of NADPH for 30 min, and estrone formation was determined by LC-MS/MS analysis. Cortisone was used as internal standard. The incubation mixture was extracted using a liquid-liquid extraction method with ethyl acetate. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C₁₈ column (3.0?×?50 mm, 2.7 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1 % formic acid/acetonitrile adopting gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The mass spectrometer was operated in positive electrospray ionization mode. The precursor-product ion pairs used for multiple reaction monitoring were m/z 287→97 (androstenedione), m/z 271?→?159 (estrone), and m/z 361?→?163 (IS, cortisone). The developed method met the required criteria for the validation of bioanalytical methods. The validated method was successfully applied to evaluate aromatase inhibitory activity of plants extracts of Simaroubaceae.

The Effective Temperature of Ions Stored in a Linear Quadrupole Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer

The extent of internal energy deposition into ions upon storage, radial ejection, and detection using a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer is investigated as a function of ion size (m/z 59 to 810) using seven ion-molecule thermometer reactions that have well characterized reaction entropies and enthalpies. The average effective temperatures of the reactants and products of the ion-molecule reactions, which were obtained from ion-molecule equilibrium measurements, range from 295 to 350 K and do not depend significantly on the number of trapped ions, m/z value, ion trap q _z value, reaction enthalpy/entropy, or the number of vibrational degrees of freedom for the seven reactions investigated. The average of the effective temperature values obtained for all seven thermometer reactions is 318?±?23 K, which indicates that linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometers can be used to study the structure(s) and reactivity of ions at near ambient temperature.

A targeted/non-targeted screening method for perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and sulfonates in whole fish using quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and MSe

A new method for measuring perfluoroalkyl contaminants (PFCs) in biological matrices has been developed. An ultra-high pressure liquid chromatograph equipped with a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UPLC-QToF) was optimized using a continuous precursor/product ion monitoring mode. Unlike traditional targeted studies that isolate precursor/product ion pairs, the current method alternates between two ionization energy channels to continuously capture standard electrospray ionization (low energy) and collision induced dissociation (high energy) spectra. The result is the indiscriminant acquisition of paired low and high energy spectra for all constituents eluting from the chromatographic system. This technique was evaluated for the routine analysis of perfluoroalkyl species. Using this technique, linear perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (C₄ to C₁₄) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (C₄, C₆, C₈ and C₁₀) exhibited a linear range spanning over three orders of magnitude and were detectable at levels less than 1 pg on column with a root mean squared signal to noise ratio of 5 to 20. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and National Institutes of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material 1946 were used to evaluate matrix effects and the accuracy of this method when applied to a whole fish extract. The current method was also evaluated as a diagnostic tool to identify unknown PFCs using experimental fragmentation patterns, mass defect filtering and Kendrick plots.

Why do the Abundances of Ions Generated by MALDI Look Thermally Determined?

In a previous study (J. Mass Spectrom. 48, 299–305, 2013), we observed that the abundance of each ion in a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) spectrum looked thermally determined. To find out the explanation for the phenomenon, we estimated the ionization efficiency and the reaction quotient (Q_A) for the autoprotolysis of matrix, M + M → [M + H]⁺ + [M ? H]^?, from the temperature-controlled laser desorption ionization spectra of α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB). We also evaluated the equilibrium constants (K_A) for the autoprotolysis at various temperatures by quantum chemical calculation. Primary ion formation via various thermal models followed by autoprotolysis-recombination was compatible with the observations. The upper limit of the effective temperature of the plume where autoprotolysis-recombination occurs was estimated by equating Q_A with the calculated equilibrium constant.

Synthesis and application of head-to-head-type styrene dimers bearing two fluoroalkyl end-groups

Head-to-head-type styrene and substituted styrene dimers bearing two fluoroalkyl end-groups have been efficiently synthesized by a simple reaction of perfluoroalkyl iodide with styrene under radical conditions as a mixture of meso and racemic forms. The meso form obtained from the mixture by recrystallization gave a crystal suitable for X-ray diffraction study and the crystal structure was found to be based on π-stacking of benzene rings and aggregation of fluoroalkyl chains. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed that meso-styrene dimers bearing two fluoroalkyl end-groups can form the nanometer size-controlled self-assemblies through the intermolecular π-stacking of benzene rings and aggregation of end-capped fluoroalkyl groups in methanol.

Using Distonic Radical Ions to Probe the Chemistry of Key Combustion Intermediates: The Case of the Benzoxyl Radical Anion

The benzoxyl radical is a key intermediate in the combustion of toluene and other aromatic hydrocarbons, yet relatively little experimental work has been performed on this species. Here, a combination of electrospray ionization (ESI), multistage mass spectrometry experiments, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to examine the formation and fragmentation of a benzoxyl (benzyloxyl) distonic radical anion. Excited 4-carboxylatobenzoxyl radical anions were produced via two methods: (1) collision induced dissociation (CID) of the nitrate ester 4-(nitrooxymethyl)benzoate, ^–O₂CC₆H₄CH₂ONO₂, and (2) reaction of ozone with the 4-carboxylatobenzyl radical anion, ^–O₂CC₆H₄CH₂ ^?. In neither case was the stabilized ^–O₂CC₆H₄CH₂O^? radical anion intermediate detected. Instead, dissociation products at m/z 121 and 149 were observed. These products are attributed to benzaldehyde (O₂ ^-CC₆H₄CHO) and benzene (^–O₂CC₆H₅) products from respective loss of H and HCO radicals in the vibrationally excited benzoxyl intermediate. In no experiments was a product at m/z 120 (i.e., ^–O₂CC₆H₄ ^?) detected, corresponding to absence of the commonly assumed phenyl radical + CH₂=O channel. The results reported suggest that distonic ions are useful surrogates for reactive intermediates formed in combustion chemistry.

Nucleophilic Addition of Nitrogen to Aryl Cations: Mimicking Titan Chemistry

The reactivity of aryl cations toward molecular nitrogen is studied systematically in an ion trap mass spectrometer at 10² Pascal of nitrogen, the pressure of the Titan main haze layer. Nucleophilic addition of dinitrogen occurs and the nature of aryl group has a significant influence on the reactivity, through inductive effects and by changing the ground state spin multiplicity. The products of nitrogen activation, aryldiazonium ions, react with typical nitriles, aromatic amines, and alkynes (compounds that are relevant as possible Titan atmosphere constituents) to form covalently bonded heterocyclic products. Theoretical calculations at the level [DFT(B3LYP)/6-311++G(d,p)] indicate that the N₂ addition reaction is exothermic for the singlet aryl cations but endothermic for their triplet spin isomers. The –OH and –NH₂ substituted aryl ions are calculated to have triplet ground states, which is consistent with their decreased nitrogen addition reactivity. The energy needed for the generation of the aryl cations from their protonated precursors (ca. 340 kJ/mol starting with protonated aniline) is far less than that required to directly activate the nitrogen triple bond (the lowest energy excited state of N₂ lies ca. 600 kJ/mol above the ground state). The formation of aza-aromatics via arene ionization and subsequent reactions provide a conceivable route to the genesis of nitrogen-containing organic molecules in the interstellar medium and Titan haze layers.

Charge Site Mass Spectra: Conformation-Sensitive Components of the Electron Capture Dissociation Spectrum of a Protein

A conventional electron capture dissociation (ECD) spectrum of a protein is uniquely characteristic of the first dimension of its linear structure. This sequence information is indicated by summing the primary c ^m+ and z ^m+? products of cleavage at each of its molecular ion’s inter-residue bonds. For example, the ECD spectra of ubiquitin (M?+?nH)ⁿ⁺ ions, n?=?7–13, provide sequence characterization of 72 of its 75 cleavage sites from 1843 ions in seven c ^(1–7)+ and eight z ^(1–8)+? spectra and their respective complements. Now we find that each of these c/z spectra is itself composed of “charge site (CS)” spectra, the c ^m+ or z ^m+? products of electron capture at a specific protonated basic residue. This charge site has been H-bonded to multiple other residues, producing multiple precursor ion forms; ECD at these residues yields the multiple products of that CS spectrum. Closely similar CS spectra are often formed from a range of charge states of ubiquitin and KIX ions; this indicates a common secondary conformation, but not the conventional α-helicity postulated previously. CS spectra should provide new capabilities for comparing regional conformations of gaseous protein ions and delineating ECD fragmentation pathways.

Rapid comprehensive characterization of crude oils by thermogravimetry coupled to fast modulated gas chromatography–single photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Comprehensive multi-dimensional hyphenation of a thermogravimetry device (i.e. a thermobalance) to gas chromatography and single photon ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TG–GC×SPI–MS) has been used to investigate two crude oil samples of different geographical origin. The source of the applied vacuum ultraviolet radiation is an electron beam pumped rare gas excimer lamp (EBEL). The soft photoionization favors the formation of molecular ions. Introduction of a fast, rapidly modulated gas chromatographic separation step in comparison with solely TG–SPI–MS enables strongly enhanced detection especially with such highly complex organic matrices as crude oil. In contrast with former TG–SPI–MS measurements, separation and identification of overlying substances is possible because of different GC retention times. The specific contribution of isobaric compounds to one mass signal is determined for alkanes, naphthalenes, alkylated benzenes, and other compounds.

Development and validation of a LC/TOF MS method for the determination of carboplatin and paclitaxel in nanovesicles

Carboplatin and paclitaxel co-loaded nanovesicles (CPT-PTX-CLV), a novel intravenous formulation void of cremophor EL, may have significant advantages over conventional carboplatin and paclitaxel formulations with respect to tumor targeting, sustained drug release, reduced toxicity, and synergistic efficacy profiles. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a rapid, specific, sensitive, and reliable liquid chromatography–time of flight–mass spectrometry (LC/TOF MS)-based bioanalytical method for the simultaneous quantification of CPT and PTX in a fetal bovine serum (FBS) vehicle containing the dispersed nanovesicles. The analytes were extracted from FBS by simple protein precipitation, with subsequent separation of CPT and PTX on a Waters HPLC SunFire C₁₈ column at a flow rate of 0.25 ml/min using gradient elution mode. The total analytical time was only 12 min. Detection and quantitation was performed by electrospray ionization (ESI) in the positive ionization mode with selective ion monitoring (SIM) at m/z 310.0152 for CPT and 876.3224 for PTX. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 10–4,000 ng/ml for CPT and 5–2,000 ng/ml for PTX (r ² ?>?0.99), with the respective lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) at 10 and 5 ng/ml. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy of analysis of the quality control samples at low, medium, and high concentration levels were ≤13.6 % relative standard deviation (RSD) and ≤14.6 % relative errors (RE). The rapid, sensitive, and reproducible LC/TOF MS method may be used to support preclinical and clinical pharmacological studies of the CPT-PTX-CLV administered by injection in animal and human cancer models.

Study of the Gas-Phase Intramolecular Aryltrifluoromethylation of Phenyl(Trifluoromethyl)Iodonium by ESI-MS/MS

The gas-phase reactions of the reactive λ ³-phenyl(trifluoromethyl)iodonium (PhI⁺(III)CF₃, 1 at m/z 273) to the radical cation of iodobenzene (PhI^?+, 2 at m/z 204) via the loss of ·CF₃ and the radical cation of trifluoromethylbenzene (PhCF₃ ^?+, 3 at m/z 146) via the loss of ·I, were studied by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Interestingly, the gas-phase intramolecular coupling reaction of CF₃ with phenyl via the CF₃ migration process of 1 at m/z 273 from iodine to the phenyl to give 3 at m/z 146 could only occur according to an intramolecular aromatic substitution mechanism. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that the gas-phase intramolecular aryltrifluoromethylation of 1 at m/z 273 to 3 at m/z 146 occurred via a Meisenheimer complex intermediate (MC), where the triplevalent I center of 1 was reduced to monovalent I. Most importantly, the structure of 3 at m/z 146 derived from 1 at m/z 273 in ESI-MS/MS process was confirmed by comparison of its MS/MS with that of an authentic PhCF₃ ^?+ at m/z 146 acquired from the electron ionization (EI)-MS/MS analysis of PhCF₃. Thus, our studies revealed the intrinsic reactivity tendencies of λ³-phenyl(trifluoromethyl)iodonium under solvent-free conditions.      

Mass spectrometric screening and identification of acidic metabolites in fulvic acid fractions of contaminated groundwater

The anaerobic microbial degradation of aromatic and heterocyclic compounds is a prevalent process in contaminated groundwater systems. The introduction of functional groups into the contaminant molecules often results in aromatic and heterocyclic and succinic acids. These metabolites can be used as indicators for prevailing degradation processes. Therefore, there is a strong interest in developing analytical methods for screening and identification of these metabolites. In this study, neutral loss scans (NLS) by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry with losses of CO₂ (NL ?m/z?=?44) and C₂H₄(CO₂)₂ (NL ?m/z?=?116) were applied for the first time successfully to screen selectively for acidic and succinic metabolites of aromatic and heterocyclic contaminants in two fulvic acid fractions from a contaminated site and a downstream region of a tar oil-polluted groundwater. Identification of these preselected signals was performed by high-resolution mass spectrometry with a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry instrument. High-resolution mass and mass fragmentation data were then compared with a list of known metabolites from a literature search or matched with chemical databases supported with in silico fragmentation. Based on authentic analytical standards, several compounds from NLS were identified (e.g., 4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzoic acid, benzylsuccinic acid, naphthyl-2-methylsuccinic acid, 2-carboxyindane, and 2-carboxybenzothiophene) and tentatively identified (e.g., benzofuranmethylsuccinic acid and dihydrocarboxybenzothiophene) as aromatic, phenolic, heterocyclic, and succinic acids. The acidic metabolites were found exclusively in the contaminated region of the aquifer which indicates active biodegradation processes and no relevant occurrence of acidic metabolites in the downstream region.

Plasma-Assisted Reaction Chemical Ionization for Elemental Mass Spectrometry of Organohalogens

We present plasma-assisted reaction chemical ionization (PARCI) for elemental analysis of halogens in organic compounds. Organohalogens are broken down to simple halogen-containing molecules (e.g., HBr) in a helium microwave-induced plasma followed by negative mode chemical ionization (CI) in the afterglow region. The reagent ions for CI originate from penning ionization of gases (e.g., N₂) introduced into the afterglow region. The performance of PARCI-mass spectrometry (MS) is evaluated using flow injection analyses of organobromines, demonstrating 5–8 times better sensitivities compared with inductively coupled plasma MS. We show that compound-dependent sensitivities in PARCI-MS mainly arise from sample introduction biases.

Quantitative Analysis of Long Chain Fatty Acids Present in a Type I Kerogen Using Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry: Compared with BF3/MeOH Methylation/GC-FID

Long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) are present in various natural samples and are easily detectable using electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FT-ICR-MS) in negative ion mode. The capability of the ESI-FT-ICR-MS for quantifying LCFAs was evaluated by performing a standard addition followed by an internal standard methodology to several kerogen extracts using n-C₂₀ fatty acid as standard. As the concentration of the standard increased, the magnitude of its peak (m/z 311.29525) increased linearly but with two separate slopes, leaving the entire mass spectra relatively unchanged, which shows evidence of reproducibility. Response factors of other LCFAs are obtained using a standard addition approach. We employed five LCFA standards (n-C₁₅, n-C₁₉, n-C₂₄, n-C₂₆, and n-C₃₀) with different carbon numbers. This allowed us to determine the response factor of all fatty acids (with carbon number between 15 and 30) by plotting the slope of each standard versus its carbon number. With the observed response factors and use of the internal standard, the concentrations of LCFAs in four kerogen extracts were measured by ESI-FT-ICR-MS and compared with those from GC-FID. The carbon number distribution obtained by ESI-FT-ICR-MS matched well the GC-FID distribution (5%–50%) with the exception of C₁₆ and C₁₈, considering that ESI-FT-ICR-MS does not differentiate between normal and branched LCFAs, whereas GC-FID does. This allows one to quantitatively compare samples with a relatively similar matrix for specific compounds such as LCFAs with no need of time-consuming derivatization procedures. Moreover, the calibration can be extended to higher carbon numbers with ESI-FT-ICR-MS, beyond the capabilities of GC/MS.

MALDI-TOF MS applied to indirect carbapenemase detection: a validated procedure to clearly distinguish between carbapenemase-positive and carbapenemase-negative bacterial strains

Laboratory identification of carbapenemase-producing clinical isolates is crucial to limit the spread of the bacteria. In this study, we shall first develop the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) assay in automatic identification of carbapenemase producers. A total of 143 well-characterized isolates were studied. After an incubation of bacteria with meropenem trihydrate, the mixture was centrifuged and the supernatant analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. A genetic algorithm model with ClinProTools software was built using spectra of 43 carbapenemase-positive isolates and 40 carbapenemase-negative isolates after 2 h of incubation. This model was externally validated using 60 test isolates. All spectra of supernatants of the carbapenemase-negative isolates showed peak profiles comparable to that of pure meropenem (m/z 384.159, 406.140, and 428.122 of its two sodium salt variants) regardless of the incubation time tested. For the carbapenemase-positive isolates, the specific peak for meropenem at m/z 384.159 disappeared during the incubation time, two products of meropenem degradation were identified with m/z 358.18 (the decarboxylated product) and 380.161 (sodium salt of the decarboxylated product), and other degradation products were observed (native molecule with disrupted amide bond with m/z 402.169, three sodium salt variants with m/z 424.151, 446.133, and 468.115). Sixty test isolates were 100 % correctly classified as carbapenemase positive and carbapenemase negative with the genetic algorithm model. MALDI-TOF MS coupled with ClinProTools is capable of rapidly, accurately, and automatically identifying carbapenemase producers.

Constant-Momentum Acceleration Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry with Energy Focusing

Fundamental aspects of constant-momentum acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CMA-TOFMS) are explored as a means to improve mass resolution. By accelerating all ions to the same momentum rather than to the same energy, the effects of the initial ion spatial and energy distributions upon the total ion flight time are decoupled. This decoupling permits the initial spatial distribution of ions in the acceleration region to be optimized independently, and energy focus, including ion turn-around-time error, to be accomplished with a linear-field reflectron. Constant-momentum acceleration also linearly disperses ions across time according to mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio, instead of the quadratic relationship between flight time and m/z found in conventional TOFMS. Here, CMA-TOFMS is shown to achieve simultaneous spatial and energy focusing over a selected portion of the mass spectrum. An orthogonal-acceleration time-of-flight system outfitted with a reduced-pressure DC glow discharge (GD) ionization source is used to demonstrate CMA-TOFMS with atomic ions. The influence of experimental parameters such as the amplitude and width of the time-dependent CMA pulse on mass resolution is investigated, and a useful CMA-TOFMS focusing window of 2 to 18 Da is found for GD-CMA-TOFMS.

Gas-Phase Fragmentations of Anions Derived from N-Phenyl Benzenesulfonamides

In addition to the well-known SO₂ loss, there are several additional fragmentation pathways that gas-phase anions derived from N-phenyl benzenesulfonamides and its derivatives undergo upon collisional activation. For example, N-phenyl benzenesulfonamide fragments to form an anilide anion (m/z 92) by a mechanism in which a hydrogen atom from the ortho position of the benzenesulfonamide moiety is specifically transferred to the charge center. Moreover, after the initial SO₂ elimination, the product ion formed undergoes primarily, an inter-annular H₂ loss to form a carbazolide anion (m/z 166) because the competing intra-annular H₂ loss is significantly less energetically favorable. Results from tandem mass spectrometric experiments conducted with deuterium-labeled compounds confirmed that the inter-ring mechanism is the preferred pathway. Furthermore, N-phenyl benzenesulfonamide and its derivatives also undergo a phenyl radical loss to form a radical ion with a mass-to-charge ratio of 155, which is in violation of the so-called “even-electron rule.”

Laser desorption VUV postionization MS imaging of a cocultured biofilm

Laser desorption postionization mass spectrometry (LDPI-MS) imaging is demonstrated with a 10.5 eV photon energy source for analysis and imaging of small endogenous molecules within intact biofilms. Biofilm consortia comprised of a synthetic Escherichia coli K12 coculture engineered for syntrophic metabolite exchange are grown on membranes and then used to test LDPI-MS analysis and imaging. Both E. coli strains displayed many similar peaks in LDPI-MS up to m/z 650, although some observed differences in peak intensities were consistent with the appearance of byproducts preferentially expressed by one strain. The relatively low mass resolution and accuracy of this specific LDPI-MS instrument prevented definitive assignment of species to peaks, but strategies are discussed to overcome this shortcoming. The results are also discussed in terms of desorption and ionization issues related to the use of 10.5 eV single-photon ionization, with control experiments providing additional mechanistic information. Finally, 10.5 eV LDPI-MS was able to collect ion images from intact, electrically insulating biofilms at ～100 μm spatial resolution. Spatial resolution of ～20 μm was possible, although a relatively long acquisition time resulted from the 10 Hz repetition rate of the single-photon ionization source.

Rapid screening of active ingredients in drugs by mass spectrometry with low-temperature plasma probe

A high-throughput method for rapid screening of active ingredients in drugs has been developed with mass spectrometry coupled to a low-temperature plasma (LTP) probe ion source. Without sample preparation or pretreatment, the active ingredients of 11 types of commercial pharmaceuticals, including hormones, antipyretic analgesics, cardiovascular, digestant, neuro-psychotherapeutic, diuretic, antithyroid, sulfa anti-inflammatory, antiparastic, sedative-hypnotics, and antibacterial, were directly desorbed/ionized and detected by a linear ion trap mass spectrometry (MS). The structures of these ingredients were elucidated by tandem MS. The analysis of 18 methyltestosterone tablets could be accomplished within 1.9 min, which allows fast detection with a speed of approximate 600 samples within 1 h. This work demonstrated that LTP probe ion source combined with MS is a high-throughput method for screening of pharmaceuticals and potentially applied to on-line quality control in pharmaceutical industry.