Marko Rožman

Gas phase H/D exchange of sodiated amino acids: Why do we see zwitterions?

The gas-phase interaction of sodiated amino acids and sodiated amino acid methyl esters with various deuterium donors is investigated by combining results of H/D exchange reactions with those from density functional theory and molecular dynamics calculations. Discrepancy between experimentally and theoretically obtained structures for sodium cationized amino acids is explained by deuterium donor caused perturbation of the most stable amino acid conformation. Detailed study of H/D exchange mechanism on sodiated amino acids shows that the H/D exchange reaction is preceded by a multistep quasi-isoenergetic transition (perturbation) from a charge solvated to zwitterionic structure in the amino acid. Although the computation refers to the system AlaNa+ and D2O, these mechanisms apply to all amino acids, except those where a functional side-chain group takes part in the perturbation process. The suggested perturbation mechanism applies also for other deuterium donors such as CD3OD or even ND3 and indicates that a single water molecule suffices to convert the sodiated amino acid from charge solvated to zwitterionic form.

Charge state dependent top‐down characterisation using electron transfer dissociation

The dissociation of protein ions (5-30  kDa) as a function of charge state has been explored in order to suggest the optimal charge state range for top-down sequencing. Proteins were generated under denaturing conditions and their charge states were modified via ion/ion proton transfer reactions prior to dissociation. Electron transfer dissociation (ETD) data suggested optimal sequence coverage for charge states in the m/z range from 700 to 950 while limited sequence coverage was noted when the precursor m/z was above 1000. Sequence coverage from ETD data was found to be dependent on protein size, with smaller proteins having better sequence coverage. An observed depletion in sequence-related information was mainly attributed to limited instrument (ion trap) performance (m/z range and resolution). For a combined ETD/collision-induced dissociation (CID) approach it is difficult to propose an optimal m/z range since good sequence coverage for CID is at intermediate charge states and the optimal m/z range increases with protein size. When only one charge state can be analysed in a combined ETD/CID approach, a range around 950  m/z is suggested as a starting point. Alternatively, two charge states should be explored, each optimal for either ETD or CID. Overall, these suggestions should be useful to achieve enhanced characterisation of smaller proteins/large protein fragments (generated from denaturing solutions) in minimal analysis times.

Characterization and Modeling of the Collision Induced Dissociation Patterns of Deprotonated Glycosphingolipids: Cleavage of the Glycosidic Bond

AbstractGlycosphingolipid fragmentation behavior was investigated by combining results from analysis of a series of negative ion tandem mass spectra and molecular modeling. Fragmentation patterns extracted from 75 tandem mass spectra of mainly acidic glycosphingolipid species (gangliosides) suggest prominent cleavage of the glycosidic bonds with retention of the glycosidic oxygen atom by the species formed from the reducing end (B and Y ion formation). Dominant product ions arise from dissociation of sialic acids glycosidic bonds whereas product ions resulting from cleavage of other glycosidic bonds are less abundant. Potential energy surfaces and unimolecular reaction rates of several low-energy fragmentation pathways leading to cleavage of glycosidic bonds were estimated in order to explain observed dissociation patterns. Glycosidic bond cleavage in both neutral (unsubstituted glycosyl group) and acidic glycosphingolipids was the outcome of the charge-directed intramolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN2) mechanism. According to the suggested mechanism, the nucleophile in a form of carboxylate or oxyanion attacks the carbon at position one of the sugar ring, simultaneously breaking the glycosidic bond and yielding an epoxide. For gangliosides, unimolecular reaction rates suggest that dominant product ions related to the cleavage of sialic acid glycosidic bonds are formed via direct dissociation channels. On the other hand, low abundant product ions related to the dissociation of other glycosidic bonds are more likely to be the result of sequential dissociation. Although results from this study mainly contribute to the understanding of glycosphingolipid fragmentation chemistry, some mechanistic findings regarding cleavage of the glycosidic bond may be applicable to other glycoconjugates. Graphical Abstractᅟ

The gas-phase interactions of TEMPO radicals with Fe+ ions.

The gas-phase ligation of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl-1-oxide (TEMPO) radical (1) and its 4-hydroxy derivative (2) with Fe+ ions in a 3 T Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer was investigated. Triple ligation may occur: the first ligation produces a transient species prone to either charge exchange or a stable second ligation; the third ligand adds slowly, with fragmentation. 1 and 2 differ in that 1 binds exclusively at the nitroxyl oxygen while 2 also binds at the OH site after the loss of a H-radical. Calculations combined with steric considerations support such a mechanism for 2. The site and the mechanism of the important side reaction of 1 that involves OH addition from a water impurity to yield an FeR2 + species remain unexplained.