Development of new methodologies for the mass spectrometry study of bioorganic macromolecules

• Published in: Mass spectrometry reviews 2003-11, Vol.22 (6), p.369-406
• Main Authors: Cristoni, Simone, Bernardi, Luigi Rossi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical biochemistry: general aspects, technics, instrumentation; Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; bioorganic macromolecules; ESI; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Macromolecular Substances; macromolecules; MALDI; mass spectrometry; Mass Spectrometry - instrumentation; Mass Spectrometry - methods; Mass Spectrometry - trends; no-discharge APCI; Oligonucleotides - analysis; Oligosaccharides - analysis; Peptides - analysis; Proteins - analysis; Software; SSI
• ISSN: 0277-7037; 1098-2787
• DOI: 10.1002/mas.10062

I. Introduction 370 II. Techniques That Are Usually Employed in the Study of Bioorganic Macromolecules 371 A. Proteins and Peptides 371 B. Oligonucleotides 374 C. Oligosaccharides and Glycoconjugates 375 D. Various Complexes (DNA–Protein, Antigen–Antibody, Macromolecules–Metals) 377 III. Common Problems and Developments in the Analysis of Bioorganic Macromolecules by Mass Spectrometry 377 A.  Ionization Source Problems and Developments 377     1.  Sensitivity 377     2.  Problems with Buffers 379     3.  Multicharge Effect 381 B.  Mass Analyzer Problems and Developments 381     1.  Linear Dynamic Range 381     2.  Tandem Mass Spectrometry 382     3.  Sensitivity 382     4.  Resolution 383     5.  Mass Accuracy 383 IV. New Promising Technologies 384 A.  Interfaces and Ionization Sources 384     1.  Improvements in the Coupling of Liquid‐Phase Separation Systems to Mass Spectrometry 384     2.  AP‐MALDI 384     3.  Deprotonant Agents 385     4.  Sonic Spray Ionization 388     5.  APCI without Corona Discharge 391 B.  Mass Analyzers 393     1.  Linear Quadrupole Ion Trap 394     2.  TOF Analyzers with New Detectors 395     3.  Multiple Mass Analyzers 396  V. Software for Data Treatment 397  VI. Conclusions and Future Developments 399 Acknowledgments 400 References 400 In recent years, mass spectrometry has been increasingly used for the analysis of various macromolecules of biological, biomedical, and biochemical interest. This increase has been made possible by two key developments: the advent of electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) sources. The two new techniques produce a significant increase in mass range and in sensitivity that led to the development of new applications and of new analyzer designs, software, and robotics. This review, apart from the description of the status of mass spectrometry in the analysis of bioorganic macromolecules, is mainly devoted to the illustration of the more recent promising techniques and on their possible future evolution. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 22:369–406, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mas.10062