Peptide peak intensities enhanced by cysteine modifiers and MALDI TOF MS

Two cysteine‐specific modifiers we reported previously, N‐ethyl maleimide (NEM) and iodoacetanilide (IAA), have been applied to the labeling of cysteine residues of peptides for the purpose of examining the enhancement of ionization efficiencies in combination with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS). The peak intensities of the peptides as a result of modification with these modifiers were compared with the peak intensities of peptides modified with a commercially available cysteine‐specific modifier, iodoacetamide (IA). Our experiments show significant enhancement in the peak intensities of three cysteine‐containing synthetic peptides modified with IAA compared to those modified with IA. The results showed a 4.5–6‐fold increase as a result of modification with IAA compared to modification with IA. Furthermore, it was found that IAA modification also significantly enhanced the peak intensities of many peptides of a commercially available proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA), compared to those modified with IA. This significant enhancement helped identify a greater number of peptides of these proteins, leading to a higher sequence coverage with greater confidence scores in identification of proteins with the use of IAA. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fragmentation study of iridoid glycosides and phenylpropanoid glycosides in Radix Scrophulariae by rapid resolution liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection and electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

Rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) coupled with diode array detection (DAD) and electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (ESI‐TOF MS) method was applied to the mass spectral study of a series of naturally occurring iridoid glycosides and phenylpropanoid glycosides in Radix Scrophulariae, which provides higher speed and increased sensitivity without loss of resolution. With dynamic adjustment as the key role of the fragmentor voltage and confirmed with authentic standards, valuable structural information regarding the nature of both the glycoside skeletons was thus obtained. Most compositions were found to possess organic acid moiety such as cinnamoyl, caffeoyl and ferulyol. Besides extensive fragmentation of the carbohydrate moiety, losses of the hydroxyl and glucose residue units showed in the spectra, permitting the exploration of the skeleton and the identity of substituents in the molecule. Ten major iridoid glycosides and 10 phenylpropanoid glycosides were identified or tentatively characterized based on their retention times, UV and TOF MS data. The major fragmentation pathways of PGs in Radix Scrophulariae obtained through the MS data was schemed systematically for the first time, which provides a reference for other PGs derivatives. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

表面活性剂的基体辅助激光解吸电离/质谱分析表征

利用基体辅助激光解吸电离／质谱（MALDI－MS）技术对表面活性剂的分析表征进行了详细研究。以2，5－二羟基苯甲酸作为基体，考察MALDI样品制备方法如液滴干燥法、快速干燥法及三明治法对测定结果的影响，发现三明治方法更适合表面活性剂的分析。MALDI可以准确测定离子型表面活性剂的分子量，同时对于非离子型表面活性剂，还可以测定其平均聚合度和分子量的分布。     

飞行时间质谱仪固体样品自动进样系统研制

以常规型飞行时间质谱仪为基础,通过配置移动平台、样品杆、工业相机、LED灯源、工业显示屏等部件,研制了一套飞行时间质谱仪用固体样品自动进样系统,实现了固体有机样品的直接进样分析。该装置具有一定的普适性,可为相关实验室设备升级改造提供借鉴和参考。该装置可进行难溶未知有机化合物的结构剖析,实现目标物的快速筛查,且操作人员可实时观测锥孔处样品状态并可软件操控进样位置,实现人机分离的自动化测试。     

Structure of Cyclic Aryl Thioester Dimer Based on o-Phthaloyl Dichloride and Bis(4-mercaptophenyl) Sulfide

IntroductionTheadvantageofmacrocyclicoligomersasprecursorsforthepreparationofhighperformancepolymersviaring openingpolymerization (ROP)hassparkedmuchinterestintheareaofadvancedthermoplasticcomposites.1 3Andaseriesofcyclicoligomerssuchascarbonates,4 arylesters ,5,6 ethers,7amides8andsulfides9,10 hasbeensuccessfullysynthesized .Recently ,Nishikuboetal.11reportedakindofnovelmacro cyclicoligomerscontainingthioestergroupspreparedbycon densationofbis(4 mercaptophenyl)sulfidewitharomaticaciddichlo…     

Determination of phenolic compounds by MALDI–TOF and essential oil composition by GC–MS during three development stages of Origanum majorana L.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the maturation process of sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) on essential oil composition, the phenolic profile of ethanolic extract and their antioxidant capacities. The essential oil composition was studied at three stages of maturity by GC–MS. Thirty compounds were detected representing 100% of the total essential oil. p‐Menth‐1‐en‐4‐ol was the major compound (37.15–76.94%) followed by cyclohexanol‐3,3,5 trimethyl (5.41–15.99%) and α‐terpineol (0.94–11.34%). During the maturation process, an accumulation of oxygenated monoterpenes was observed. The phenolic composition was studied using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight. The analysis showed the presence of short flavonoid monomers at all stages of maturation. The antioxidant capacity of ethanolic extracts and essential oils was evaluated using the DPPH assay, iron chelating power and reducing power assay. The highest phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were found at flowering stage. These findings on essential oil composition, phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of O. majorana at three different stages of development provide more information on how these secondary metabolites are accumulated.     

Application of liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for screening and quantitative analysis of C21 steroids in the roots and rhizomes of Cynanchum paniculatum

A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method is presented for the quantification of C21 steroids in the roots and rhizomes of Cynanchum paniculatum. Eight C21 steroids, including five steroidal aglycones and three steroidal glycosides, were simultaneously analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The extracted ion current chromatograms were extracted from the total ion current chromatogram using characteristic ions produced by target compounds for peak determination. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 reversed-phase column within 60 min, using an acetonitrile/water gradient. For comparision, six C. paniculatum samples from different locations were investigated by the established method, and the results indicated that the different geographical origin significantly influenced the C21 steroid composition. The method was observed to have the necessary sensitivity, selectivity, precision, and accuracy, and to be suitable for quality control of herbal medicines and their preparations.     

The profiling and identification of chemical components,prototypes and metabolites of Run‐zao‐zhi‐yang capsule in rat plasma,urine and bile by an UPLC‐Q‐TOF/MSE‐based high‐throughput strategy

Run‐zao‐zhi‐yang (RZZY) capsule, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is popularly used for the treatment of dermatitis and eczema. However, few studies have been carried out on RZZY and its metabolites. In this study, we developed a three‐step strategy to rapidly characterize the chemical constituents and metabolites of RZZY using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. A total of 41 chemical components were characterized from RZZY. Among these, there are 11 flavonoids, six alkaloids, six stilbene glycosides, five anthraquinones and 13 other compounds. In addition, 18 prototypes and 35 metabolites were detected in rat plasma, urine and bile. This study offers an applicable approach for high‐throughput profiling and identification of chemical components and metabolites derived from traditional Chinese medicine formula in vivo, and also provides essential data for exploring bioactive ingredients and action mechanisms of RZZY.     

Comparative evaluation of five protocols for protein extraction from stony corals (Scleractinia) for proteomics

Corals especially the reef‐building species are very important to marine ecosystems. Proteomics has been used for researches on coral diseases, bleaching and responses to the environment change. A robust and versatile protein extraction protocol is required for coral proteomics. However, a comparative evaluation of different protein extraction protocols is still not available for proteomic analysis of stony corals. In the present study, five protocols were compared for protein extraction from stony corals. The five protocols were TRIzol, phenol‐based extraction (PBE), trichloroacetic acid (TCA)‐acetone, glass bead‐assisted extraction (GBAE) and a commercially available kit. PBE, TRIzol and the commercial kit were more robust for extracting proteins from stony corals. The protein extraction efficiency and repeatability, two dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS) were employed to evaluate the protocols. The results indicated that PBE protocol had the better protein extraction efficiency than the others. Protein extraction coverage varied among the procedures. Each protocol favored for certain proteins. Therefore, it is very important for coral proteomic analysis to select a suitable protein protocol upon the experimental design. In general, PBE protocol can be the first choice for extracting proteins from stony corals.     

Mannose‐BSA Conjugates: Comparison Between Commercially Available Linkers in Reactivity and Bioactivity

Mannosyl ethanolamine and BSA were conjugated together by their amino groups with various homobifunctional cross‐linker reagents: disuccinimidyl carbonate (DSC), disuccinimidyl glutarate (DSG), disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS), ethylene glycolbis(succinimidylsuccinate) (EGS), 1,5‐difluoro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene (DFDNB), diethyl squarate (DES), and thiophosgene (TP). The resulting mannose-BSA conjugates were subjected to an enzyme‐linked lectin assay (ELLA)to investigate their affinity to concanvalin A (ConA). With these results, the seven linkers were evaluated on the basis of five criteria, i.e., cost, reactivity, sugar loading, homogeneity, and affinity to ConA. Thus, DSS, DFDNB, and DES seemed to have advantages over the other cross-linking reagents.