Positive ion formation in the ultraviolet matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization analysis of oligonucleotides by using 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid

The development of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry and its demonstrated performance with large proteins has generated substantial interest in utilizing this technique as an alternative to gel electrophoresis for DNA sequence analysis. However, a lack of understanding of the desorption and ionization processes has greatly hampered advances in this field. This article explores the formation of positively charged oligonucleotides in UV (355-nm) MALDI analysis by using the matrix 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Whereas substantial fragmentation is observed in the positive-ion mode by using the short oligomer d(TAGGT), no fragmentation is evident in the negative-ion mode under identical conditions. The fragmentation products are consistent with a previously published model in which base protonation initiates base loss, which leads to subsequent cleavage of the phosphodiester backbone. Several polydeoxythymidilic acids containing modified nucleosides were used to investigate positive-ion formation. The results support the hypothesis that positive ions are formed by protonation of the nucleobases. Because base protonation initiates base loss, fragmentation is intrinsic to positive-ion formation in the MALDI analysis of oligonucleotides. This result explains the dramatic difference in fragmentation observed in positive-ion compared to negative-ion UV-MALDI mass spectra of oligonucleotides.     

Ion-spray mass spectrometry of marine neurotoxins

Ion-spray mass spectrometry was investigated for the analysis of three marine neurotoxins: domoic acid, saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin. All three compounds gave positive-ion spectra with abundant ions of protonated molecules and no significant fragmentation. Domoic acid gave a negative-ion spectrum with a strong [M-H]- ion. Tandem mass spectrometry provided useful fragment-ion spectra for all compounds. Detection limits for flow injection analyses with selected-ion monitoring were determined to be 30 pg for saxitoxin, 100 pg for domoic acid and 200 pg for tetrodotoxin. Combining liquid chromatography with ion-spray mass spectrometry allowed the determination of domoic acid and some of its isomers in toxic shellfish tissue extracts.     

Positive- and negative-ion chemical ionization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

Four groups of isomeric polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were examined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using positive-ion chemical ionization and negative-ion chemical ionization with a variety of reagent gases in order to evaluate the utility of each; differentiation of isomers was the ultimate goal. Hydrogen positive-ion chemical ionization (PICI) yielded different spectra for all but one isomer pair while retaining sensitivity comparable to electron-impact mass spectrometry. Several experimental conditions in the negative-ion mode afforded distinctly different spectra for isomeric PAH, but often sensitivities were reduced. The thirteen model compounds divided approximately into three classes according to the types and extent of reactions of the molecular anion. Class 1 gave as good sensitivity as hydrogen PICI; class 2 gave isomer-dependent spectra, but reduced sensitivity; class 3 gave no isomer differentiation, but greatly enhanced sensitivity.     

252Cf-plasma desorption mass spectrometry of unmodified lipid A: fragmentation patterns and localization of fatty acids.

The fragmentation patterns of synthetic Escherichia coli-type lipid A in plasma desorption mass spectrometry (PDMS) in both negative- and positive-ion modes were determined. Negative-ion spectra gave signals for the main diphosphorylated (intact) molecular species in their native proportions. Intact and alkaline-treated lipid A in this mode gave, for the glucosamine I moiety, easily identified signals that have not been previously reported in PDMS. These spectra gave enough information to localize the fatty acids. The procedure was verified with relatively homogeneous lipids A prepared from Salmonella minnesota R595 and Neisseria meningitidis lipopolysaccharides, and then applied to the previously unstudied Yersinia entercolitica O:11,24 lipid A to obtain the localization of its fatty acids. The possibility of obtaining this much information from two negative-ion spectra was attributed to the method, described earlier, of preparing the samples. In the positive-ion mode, about half of the E. coli ions containing diglucosamine appeared as monodephosphorylated species and/or as Na adducts. The intact glucosamine II moiety and its fragment ions gave signals none of which were Na adducts. With lipids A prepared from S. minnesota, N. meningitidis, and Y. enterocolitica, similar fragmentation patterns were observed. For lipid A structure determination, the positive-ion mode could play a confirmatory role. The above results and some of those reported by others were compared.     

Insights into coal structure from degradation with ruthenium tetroxide and tandem mass spectrometry

The products of ruthenium tetroxid oxidation of coal (Illinois No. 2) at ambient temperature were examined by tandem mass spectrometry using positive and negative chemical ionization. The negative-ion mass spectrum of the coal sample displays seven homologous series of ions. Individual compounds were characterized by recording daughter spectra. In this way, the following types of compounds were identified: aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, aromatic dicarboxylic and tricarboxylic acids, anhydrides of the di- and tri-carboxylic acids, and dianhydrides corresponding to the tetracarboxylic aromatic acids. The positive-ion mass and daughter spectra provided additional confirmation. Two series of ions dominate the positive-ion mass spectrum, those from the aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, and the corresponding anhydrides. The fragmentation behavior of model compounds was examined to confirm these assignments. The carboxylic acids and anhydrides identified suggest the presence of particular structural features in the coal prior to oxidation. These include C₂–C₆ aliphatic bridges between aromatic units, fused ring aromatic structures, tetralin and indan structures.     

Letter: Electrospray ionization mass spectral characteristics and fragmentation mechanisms of triterpenoids in Fomes officinalis

The electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric characteristics and fragmentation mechanisms of 12 triterpenoid compounds from Fomes officinalis (F. officinalis) and their analogs were investigated. The compounds could be classified into three types depending on their chemical structures. All of the compounds gave [M-H](-) and [2M-H](-) ions by electrospray negative ionization mode. In addition, the members of three isomeric groups of the analogs with the same elemental composition can be distinguished by tandem mass spectra of protonated molecules and of significant fragmention. The above fragmentations were reported for the first time and were implemented for the analysis of triterpenoids in F. officinalis.     

Electron ionization and atmospheric pressure photochemical ionization in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of amino acids

The mass spectra of tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) derivatives of 17 amino acids were obtained using electron ionization (EI) and atmospheric pressure photochemical ionization (APPhCI) mass spectrometry. The APPhCI mass spectra for all of the derivatives except arginine were shown to consist of only molecular [M](+.) and quasimolecular [MH](+) ions whereas, in the case of EI, the compounds in question underwent a drastic fragmentation. The application of APPhCI to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry enables a reliable identification of the TBDMS derivatives of amino acids in a mixture, even if its components are only partially resolved, due to the unique molecular masses for each compound. Comparison of the respective positive-ion chemical ionization (PICI) mass spectra available in the literature with APPhCI spectra has shown that, in the case of PICI, unlike APPhCI, noticeable fragmentation occurs.     

Identification of phenolic constituents in Radix Salvia miltiorrhizae by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The phenolic components from Radix Salvia miltiorrhizae Bunge, a well-known herbal medicine (Dan-Shen in Chinese), have been investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS). HPLC analyses were performed on a reversed-phase C18 column using gradient elution. In the ESI mass spectra a predominant [M-H]- ion was observed in negative mode and provided molecular mass information. ESI-MS/MS spectra of the [M-H]- ions were used for structural analysis, based on the spectra of standards. It was found that caffeic acid and its monomeric analogs containing a carboxyl group readily lost CO2, while dimers, trimers and tetramers of caffeic acid expelled successively danshensu or caffeic acid or their esters. Twenty-eight phenolic compounds in S. miltiorrhizae were characterized, of which eight compounds were positively identified by comparison with standards. The remaining twenty phenolics for which standards were not available were tentatively identified based on their UV spectra and MS/MS fragmentation characteristics.     

Structural analysis of 2,6-[bis(alkyloxy)methyl]-phenyltin derivatives using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry was applied to the structural analysis of 23 2,6-[bis(alkyloxy)methyl]phenyltin(IV) derivatives. The mass spectra were measured in both polarity modes and multistage tandem mass spectrometric (MS(n)) measurements were performed on the ion trap analyser for positively charged tin-containing ions. The sum of complementary ions observed in the positive-ion mode (i.e. [M-R(3)](+) ion) and in the negative-ion mode (i.e. [R(3)](-) ion) permits molecular mass determination in spite of the fact that the molecular adducts were often missing even in the first-order mass spectra. The subsequent fragmentation of [M-R(3)](+) ions studied by MS(n) and the correlation of observed fragment ions with the expected structures of synthesized organotin(IV) compounds allowed us to understand the fragmentation behaviour and the mechanism of the ion formation for studied compounds. The typical neutral losses are alkenes, alcohols and aldehydes. The fragmentation pattern of one selected compound was supported by MS(n) measurements of an isotopically labelled analogue to confirm unusual ion-molecule reactions of some fragment ions with water in the ion trap.     

治疗骨骼疾病药物阿屈酸的电喷雾质谱研究

阿屈酸的极性很强且热稳定性很差，因此不适合用电子轰击质谱来研究，该文研究了它的正离子和负离子电喷雾质谱的行为，结果表明阿屈酸既可作负离子电喷雾质谱分析，也可作正离子电喷雾质谱分析，且正离子电喷雾质谱分析的灵敏度高于负离子；电喷雾源内碰撞诱导解离分析时正离子和负离子的裂解方式相似，但不完全相同，且正离子有明显的[M Na]^ 峰和[M H]^ 及[M Na]^ 与M的非共价键簇离子峰，这对确定类似未知物的相对分子质量有很大的帮助。     

Accurate mass analysis of ethanesulfonic acid degradates of acetochlor and alachlor using high-performance liquid chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Degradates of acetochlor and alachlor (ethanesulfonic acids, ESAs) were analyzed in both standards and in a groundwater sample using high-performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. The negative pseudomolecular ion of the secondary amide of acetochlor ESA and alachlor ESA gave average masses of 256.0750+/-0.0049 amu and 270.0786+/-0.0064 amu respectively. Acetochlor and alachlor ESA gave similar masses of 314.1098+/-0.0061 amu and 314.1153+/-0.0048 amu; however, they could not be distinguished by accurate mass because they have the same empirical formula. On the other hand, they may be distinguished using positive-ion electrospray because of different fragmentation spectra, which did not occur using negative-ion electrospray.     

Mass-spectrometric studies of new 6-nitroquipazines—serotonin transporter inhibitors

Six synthesized 6-nitroquipazine derivatives were examined by electron ionization (EI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry in positive and negative ion mode. The compounds exhibit high affinity for the serotonin transporter (SERT) and belong to a new class of SERT inhibitors. The EI mass spectra registered in negative ion mode showed prominent molecular ions for all the compounds studied. All EI mass spectra and all ESI mass spectra showed similar fragmentation pathways of molecular ions, but the pathways differed between EI and ESI. The differences were explained with the aid of theoretical evaluation of the stability of the respective radical ions (EI MS) and protonated ions (ESI MS).     

Characterization of prenylated xanthones and flavanones by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Reversed-phase liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC/APCI-MS) in the positive-ion mode was utilized to analyze crude ether extracts from the root bark of Maclura pomifera, a tree known to have a high content of prenylated xanthones and flavanones. Identification of three xanthones and two flavanones was based on their unique mass spectra. Under optimum conditions peaks corresponding to the [MH](+) ion and characteristic fragments for each compound were observed. (1)H NMR data were used to confirm the identities of two xanthones that had the same molecular mass and similar fragmentation patterns. Fragmentation of the analytes was achieved by application of an electrostatic potential at the entrance of the single quadrupole mass spectrometer. The optimum voltage for fragmentation was found to be related to the class of compounds analyzed and, within each class, to be dependent on the structure of the prenyl moiety. Collision-induced pathways consistent with precedent literature describing the MS characterization of similar compounds and with the observed fragmentation patterns are tentatively proposed.     

Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectra of Amino Acid Methyl Ester 5′-Phosphoramidates of 2′,3′-Isopropylideneuridine

IntroductionIn recent years, nucleosides and their analogshave been extensively studied as potential anticancerand antiviral agents[1—3]. For example, several purineand pyridine bases and nucleoside analogs are used aschemotherapeutic arsenal. For their biological activity,these analogs should be intracellularly metabolized to5′-mononucleotides by kinase-mediated phosphoryla-tion[4]. To overcome the problemof drug resistance andto improve the membrane penetration, a series of aminoacid phosp…     

Mass spectral characteristics of okadaic acid and simple derivatives.

Electron ionization (EI), chemical ionization (CI) and fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectra of the marine toxin okadaic acid and its synthetic methyl, pentafluorobenzyl, and trimethylsilyl ester and ether derivatives were generated. Several ionization conditions and ion-processing methods were used to obtain positive- and negative-ion conventional spectra and tandem (MS/MS) spectra. The EI and the positive-ion CI spectra provided fragment ions characteristic of the structure, and the negative-ion CI and FAB spectra provided molecular ions. The addition of alkali salts to the FAB matrix resulted in reduced fragmentation and the formation of intense alkali-metal-cationized molecules. Pentafluorobenzyl ester derivatives provided intense carboxylate ions under electron-capture ionization. Analytically useful MS/MS spectra were obtained by low-energy collision-induced decomposition of the carboxylate anion produced from the tetrasilylated pentafluorobenzylokadaate.     

Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectra of Amino Acid Methyl Ester 5 ＇-Phosphoramidates of 2＇, 3＇-Isopropylideneuridine

Amino acid methyl ester phosphates were synthesized and determined by using positive-ion mode dectrospmy ionization mass spectrometry（ESIMS） in combination with multistage tandem mass spectrometry. The fragmentation pathways were investigated, and it was observed that most fragment ions contained the phosphoryl group. It was interesting to observe that the fragmentation pathways of the protonated molecule show some differences when compared with those of the sodium ion adduct. The methoxy group of amino acid methyl ester can migrate from the carbonyl group to the phosphoryl group in the sodium ion adduct.     

气相色谱-质谱法分析硫芥子气及相关化合物

用气相色谱－质谱法对含硫芥子气类化合物进行了分析。探讨了长链芥子气的电子轰击电离的质谱规律，并对待测化合物的色谱保留数据进行了研究，在给定条件下，各种待测含硫芥子气在气相色谱柱中能有效的分离和鉴定。     

Differentiation of human kidney stones induced by melamine and uric acid using surface desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Clinically obtained human kidney stones of different pathogenesis were dissolved in acetic acid/methanol solutions and then rapidly analyzed by surface desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (SDAPCI-MS) without any desalination treatment. The mass spectral fingerprints of six groups of kidney stone samples were rapidly recorded in the mass range of m/z 50-400. A set of ten melamine-induced kidney stone samples and nine uric acid derived kidney stone samples were successfully differentiated from other groups by principal component analysis of SDAPCI-MS fingerprints upon positive-ion detection mode. In contrast, the mass spectra recorded using negative-ion detection mode did not give enough information to differentiate those stone samples. The results showed that in addition to the melamine, the chemical compounds enwrapped in the melamine-induced kidney stone samples differed from other kidney stone samples, providing useful hints for studying on the formation mechanisms of melamine-induced kidney stones. This study also provides useful information on establishing a MS-based platform for rapid analysis of the melamine-induced human kidney stones at molecular levels.     

Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectra of Amino Acid Methyl Ester 5′-Phosphoramidates of 2′,3′-Isopropylideneuridine

Amino acid methyl ester phosphates were synthesized and determined by using positive-ion mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(ESIMS) in combination with multistage tandem mass spectrometry. The fragmentation pathways were investigated, and it was observed that most fragment ions contained the phosphoryl group. It was interesting to observe that the fragmentation pathways of the protonated molecule show some differences when compared with those of the sodium ion adduct. The methoxy group of amino acid methyl ester can migrate from the carbonyl group to the phosphoryl group in the sodium ion adduct.     

顺,反式环丙烷衍生物异构体的区分

在化学电离条件下，研究了４种顺、反式环丙烷衍生物与丙酮和醋酸乙烯酸乙烯酯的分子离子反应。异构体１，２的丙酮ＣＩ谱及其加合离子「Ｍ＋Ｈ＋Ａ」的ＣＩＤ谱都 可以区分该对异构体。化合物２，３和４可以和质子化丙酮及质子化二聚体发生加合反应，但化合物１仅能与质子化丙酮发生加合反应。在醋酸乙烯酯的ＣＩ谱中，观察到４个化合物的质子化二聚体，其中异构体１，２的质子化二聚体的ＣＩＤ谱也能反映它们立体结构的差异。