The Role of the Detergent Micelle in Preserving the Structure of Membrane Proteins in the Gas Phase

Despite the growing importance of the mass spectrometry of membrane proteins, it is not known how their transfer from solution into vacuum affects their stability and structure. To address this we have carried out a systematic investigation of ten membrane proteins solubilized in different detergents and used mass spectrometry to gain physicochemical insight into the mechanism of their ionization and desolvation. We show that the chemical properties of the detergents mediate the charge state, both during ionization and detergent removal. Using ion mobility mass spectrometry, we monitor the conformations of membrane proteins and show how the surface charge density dictates the stability of folded states. We conclude that the gas‐phase stability of membrane proteins is increased when a greater proportion of their surface is lipophilic and is consequently protected by the physical presence of the micelle.     

Comparative Study on Triclosan Interactions in Solution and in the Solid State with Natural and Chemically Modified Cyclodextrins

The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions of triclosan (TRI), a poorly water-soluble antimicrobial drug, with natural crystalline cyclodextrins (α-, β- and γ-Cd) and the corresponding hydroxypropylated amorphous derivatives (HPα-, HPβ-, and HPγ-Cd) and evaluate their effectiveness as complexing and solubilizing agents towards the drug. Equimolar solid systems were prepared using different techniques (physical mixing (PM), kneading (KN) and coevaporation (COE)) in order to evaluate the influence of the preparation method on the performance of the end products. Drug–carrier interactions were investigated both in aqueous solution, using phase-solubility analysis, fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) techniques, and in the solid state, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) supported by thermograumetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Among the native cyclodextrins, β-Cd seemed to have the most suitable cavity to fit the drug molecule, whereas the α-Cd cavity was too small and the γ-Cd cavity too large to establish stable interactions with the guest. However, due to the B _S -type phase solubility diagram, its solubilizing efficiency was very limited. The presence of the hydroxypropylic substituents improved, in all cases, Cd solubilizing and complexing efficacies towards the drug. This was particularly evident in the case of HPγ-Cd, whose stability constant was about 200-fold higher than that of the native γ-Cd. HPβ-Cd was the most effective carrier for TRI, showing a solubilizing power about 20 times higher than the corresponding native Cd and about 2-fold that of the other hydroxypropyl derivatives. Moreover, a clear influence of the preparation method on the properties of the final products was observed. The COE method with hydroxypropylated cyclodextrins seemed the most suitable technique in achieving the complete drug amorphization and/or inclusion complexation. Received in final form: 24 January 2005     

Hofmeister Effects of Group II Cations as Seen in the Unfolding of Ribonuclease A

This work studies the effects of alkaline-earth cation addition on the unfolding free energy of a model protein, pancreatic Ribonuclease A (RNase A) by differential scanning calorimetry analysis. RNase A was chosen because: a) it does not specifically bind Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺ cations and b) maintains its structural integrity throughout a large pH range. We have measured and compared the effects of NaCl, MgCl₂, CaCl₂ and SrCl₂ addition on the melting point of RNase A. Our results show that even though the addition of group II cations to aqueous solvent reduces the solubility of nonpolar residues (and enhances the hydrophobic effect), their interactions with the amide moieties are strong enough to “salt-them-in” the solvent, thereby causing an overall protein stability reduction. We demonstrate that the amide-cation interactions are a major contributor to the observed “Hofmeister Effects” of group II cations in protein folding. Our analysis suggests that protein folding “Hofmeister Effects” of group II cations, are mostly the aggregate sum of how cation addition simultaneously salts-out hydrophobic moieties by increasing the cavitation free energy, while promoting the salting-in of amide moieties through contact pair formation.     

Next Challenges for the Comprehensive Molecular Characterization of Complex Organic Mixtures in the Field of Sustainable Energy

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass by pyrolysis or hydrothermal liquefaction gives access to a wide variety of molecules that can be used as fuel or as building blocks in the chemical industry. For such purposes, it is necessary to obtain their detailed chemical composition to adapt the conversion process, including the upgrading steps. Petroleomics has emerged as an integral approach to cover a missing link in the investigation bio-oils and linked products. It relies on ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry to attempt to unravel the contribution of many compounds in complex samples by a non-targeted approach. The most recent developments in petroleomics partially alter the discriminating nature of the non-targeted analyses. However, a peak referring to one chemical formula possibly hides a forest of isomeric compounds, which may present a large chemical diversity concerning the nature of the chemical functions. This identification of chemical functions is essential in the context of the upgrading of bio-oils. The latest developments dedicated to this analytical challenge will be reviewed and discussed, particularly by integrating ion source features and incorporating new steps in the analytical workflow. The representativeness of the data obtained by the petroleomic approach is still an important issue.     

一些双电荷离子的气相碎裂反应

借助质量分析离子动能谱和串联质谱研究了由电子轰击产生的双电荷离子的单分子亚稳碎裂及碰撞诱导分解过程,讨论了两种实验方法导致的差别因素.此外,根据质量分析离子动能谱提供的双电荷离子电荷分离反应的动能释放值计算了两电荷中心间距的最小值,以判别按不同电荷分离方式碎裂的双电荷离子的过渡态结构.     

Structural Effects of Multiple Pathogenic Mutations Suggest a Model for the Initiation of Misfolding of the Prion Protein

A molecular understanding of the prion diseases requires delineation of the origin of misfolding of the prion protein (PrP). An understanding of how different disease‐linked mutations affect the structure and dynamics of native monomeric PrP can provide a clue about how misfolding commences. In this study, hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry was used to show that several disease‐linked mutant variants, which are thermodynamically destabilized, share a common structural perturbation in their native states: helix 1 is destabilized to an extent that correlates well with the destabilization of the native protein. The mutant variants misfold and form oligomers faster than does the wild‐type protein, at rates that increase exponentially with the extent to which helix 1 is destabilized in the native protein. It appears, therefore, that the loss of helix 1 structure marks the beginning of PrP misfolding and oligomerization.     

Olefin Metathesis of a Ruthenium Carbene Complex by Electrospray Ionization in the Gas Phase

Surprisingly similar reactions in the gas phase and in solution [Eq. (a)]: The ion 1 obtained by electrospray ionization behaves in the gas phase analogously to the corresponding complex [RuCl₂(=CHPh)(PCy₃)₂] in solution. Measured relative rates for ring-opening metathesis are interpreted under the assumption of an intramolecular π complex, which leads to an estimation of the equilibrium constant for π complexation.     

气相色谱/离子阱串联质谱法检测大气中的多溴二苯醚

运用气相色谱-离子阱质谱(ion trap mass spectrometry,ITMS)建立了大气中8种多溴二苯醚的二级质谱(MS/MS)检测方法。优化后的MS/MS方法对7种三溴至七溴二苯醚(BDE28、-47、-99、-100、-153、-154、-183)和十溴二苯醚(BDE209)的仪器检出限分别为0.04~0.23 pg和9.38 pg;方法检出限为6.0~27.1 pg/m3和211.6 pg/m3;6点标准曲线相关系数(r)为0.9980~0.9999。方法对8种目标物的加标回收率为79.1%~101.0%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为4.3%~14.3%(n=6)。对6份南京实际大气样品的检测结果表明:离子阱质谱的选择反应监测(selected reaction monitoring,SRM)技术能有效的降低背景干扰。优化后的MS/MS方法对目标化合物有较高的灵敏度,可应用于大气中痕量多溴二苯醚的定量检测。     

Structural Diversity of Di-Metalized Arginine Evidenced by Infrared Multiple Photon Dissociation (IRMPD) Spectroscopy in the Gas Phase

Although metal cations are prevalent in biological media, the species of multi-metal cationized biomolecules have received little attention so far. Studying these complexes in isolated state is important, since it provides intrinsic information about the interaction among them on the molecular level. Our investigation here demonstrates the unexpected structural diversity of such species generated by a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) source in the gas phase. The photodissociation spectroscopic and theoretical study reflects that the co-existing isomers of [Arg+Rb+K−H]⁺ can have energies ≥95 kJ/mol higher than that of the most stable one. While the result can be rationalized by the great isomerization energy barrier due to the coordination, it strongly reminds us to pay more attention to their structural diversities for multi-metalized fundamental biological molecules, especially for the ones with the ubiquitous alkali metal ions.     

飞行时间质谱仪中Ni^＋与酯分子束流的气相反应及机理

在一个石英反应室内，让激光解离的Ｎｉ＾＋与连续喷入的酯类化合物分子束流反应，生成的产物离子经飞行时间质谱仪检测，研究了Ｎｉ＾＋与乙酸乙酯、乙酸丙烯酯、乙酸乙烯酯、乙酸丁酯的气相反应。根据如下机理满意的解释了发生的反应：（１）Ｎｉ＾＋与酯形成激发态络合物；（２）β－Ｈ迁移至烃氧基的氧上形成Ｎｉ＾＋的双配体化合物离子；（３）失去一中性配体分子得Ｎｉ＾＋的单配体化合物离子。由酯的ΔＨ离和Ｄ（Ｎｉ＾＋－Ａ     

Phase Transitions,Thermal Desorption of Gases,and Electroconduction in BaCeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>, a Base for High-Temperature Protonic Conductors

Investigations of phase transitions in barium cerate are carried out by methods of dilatometry and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal desorption of gases and temperature dependences of electroconduction in dry and humid air are studied. Barium cerate exhibits complex polymorphism, undergoing a number of structural conversions at 300– 1300 K. The peaks in the spectra of thermal desorption of CO₂ and H₂O correlate with variations in the crystal lattice. Structural changes in BaCeO₃ affect activation energies for the carrier transport and the shares of partial conductivities.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 620–626.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kuz’min, Gorelov, Vaganov, Korzun, Kazantsev, Aksenova, Khromushin.     

Capture of CO2 by a Cationic Nickel(I) Complex in the Gas Phase and Characterization of the Bound,Activated CO2 Molecule by Cryogenic Ion Vibrational Predissociation Spectroscopy

We describe a systematic method for the preparation and spectroscopic characterization of a CO₂ molecule coordinated to an activated bisphenoidal nickel(I) compound containing a tetraazamacrocyclic ligand in the gas phase. The resulting complex was then structurally characterized by using mass‐selected vibrational predissociation spectroscopy. The results indicate that a highly distorted CO₂ molecule is bound to the metal center in an η²‐C,O coordination mode, thus establishing an efficient and rational method for the preparation of metal‐activated CO₂ for further studies using ion chemistry techniques.     

Uncovering the Stoichiometry of Pyrococcus furiosus RNase P,a Multi‐Subunit Catalytic Ribonucleoprotein Complex,by Surface‐Induced Dissociation and Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry

We demonstrate that surface‐induced dissociation (SID) coupled with ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM‐MS) is a powerful tool for determining the stoichiometry of a multi‐subunit ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex assembled in a solution containing Mg²⁺. We investigated Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu) RNase P, an archaeal RNP that catalyzes tRNA 5′ maturation. Previous step‐wise, Mg²⁺‐dependent reconstitutions of Pfu RNase P with its catalytic RNA subunit and two interacting protein cofactor pairs (RPP21?RPP29 and POP5?RPP30) revealed functional RNP intermediates en route to the RNase P enzyme, but provided no information on subunit stoichiometry. Our native MS studies with the proteins showed RPP21?RPP29 and (POP5?RPP30)₂ complexes, but indicated a 1:1 composition for all subunits when either one or both protein complexes bind the cognate RNA. These results highlight the utility of SID and IM‐MS in resolving conformational heterogeneity and yielding insights on RNP assembly.     

Characterization of microchannel plate detector response for the detection of native multiply charged high mass single ions in orthogonal-time-of-flight mass spectrometry using a Timepix detector

Time-of-flight (TOF) systems are one of the most widely used mass analyzers in native mass spectrometry (nMS) for the analysis of non-covalent multiply charged bio-macromolecular assemblies (MMAs). Typically, microchannel plates (MCPs) are employed for high mass native ion detection in TOF MS. MCPs are well known for their reduced detection efficiency when impinged by large slow moving ions. Here, a position- and time-sensitive Timepix (TPX) detector has been added to the back of a dual MCP stack to study the key factors that affect MCP performance for MMA ions generated by nMS. The footprint size of the secondary electron cloud generated by the MCP on the TPX for each individual ion event is analyzed as a measure of MCP performance at each mass-to-charge (m/z) value and resulted in a Poisson distribution. This allowed us to investigate the dependency of ion mass, ion charge, ion velocity, acceleration voltage, and MCP bias voltage on MCP response in the high mass low velocity regime. The study of measurement ranges; ion mass = 195 to 802,000 Da, ion velocity = 8.4 to 67.4 km/s, and ion charge = 1+ to 72+, extended the previously examined mass range and characterized MCP performance for multiply charged species. We derived a MCP performance equation based on two independent ion properties, ion mass and charge, from these results, which enables rapid MCP tuning for single MMA ion detection.     

COMPLX: a computer algorithm for the detection of protein-ligand and other macromolecular complexes in mass spectra

A new algorithm has been designed and tested to identify protein, or any other macromolecular, complexes that have been widely reported in mass spectral data. The program takes advantage of the appearance of multiply charged ions that are common to both electrospray ionization and, to a lesser extent, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectra. The algorithm, known as COMPLX for the COMposition of Protein-Ligand compleXes, is capable of identifying complexes for any protein or macromolecule with a binding partner of molecular mass up to 100 000 Da. It does so by identifying ion pairs present in a mass spectrum that, when they share a common charge, have an m/z value difference that is an integer fraction of a ligand or binding partner molecular mass. Several additional criteria must be met in order for the result to be ranked in the output file including that all m/z values for ions of the protein or complex have progressively lower values as their assigned charge increases, the difference between the m/z values for adjacent charge states (z, z + 1) decrease as the assigned charge state increases, and the ratio of any two m/z values assigned to a protein or complex is equal to the inverse ratio of their charge. The entries that satisfy these criteria are then ranked according to the appearance of ions in the mass spectrum associated with the binding partner, the length of a continuous series of charges across any set of ions for a protein and complex and the lowest error recorded for the molecular mass of the ligand or binding partner. A diverse range of hypothetical and experimental mass spectral data were used to implement and test the program, including those recorded for antibody-peptide, protein-peptide and protein-heme complexes. Spectra of increasing complexity, in terms of the number of ions input, were also successfully analysed in which the number of input m/z values far exceeds the few associated with a macromolecular complex. Thus the program will be of value in a future goal of proteomics, where mass spectrometry already plays a central role, for the direct analysis of protein and other associations within biological extracts.