Targeted Quantification of Peptides Using Miniature Mass Spectrometry.

Proteomics by mass spectrometry (MS) allows for the identification of amino acid/peptide sequences in complex mixtures. Peptide analysis and quantitation enables screening of protein biomarkers and targeted protein biomarker analysis for clinical applications. Whereas miniature mass spectrometers have primarily demonstrated point-of-care analyses with simple procedures aiming at drugs and lipids, it would be interesting to explore their potential in analyzing proteins and peptides. In this work, we adapted a miniature MS instrument for peptide analysis. A mass range as wide as 100-2000 m/z was achieved for obtaining peptide spectra using this instrument with dual linear ion traps. MS2 and MS3 can be performed to analyze a wide range of peptides. The parameters of pressure, electric potentials, and solution conditions were optimized to analyze peptides with molecular weights between 900 and 1800 Da. The amino acid sequences were identified using both beam-type and in-trap collision-induced dissociation, and the results were comparable to those obtained by a commercial quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. With product ion monitoring scan mode, peptide quantitation was performed with a limit of detection of 20 nM achieved for the Met peptide. The method developed has also been applied to the analysis of the trypsin-digested cell lysate of SKBR3 cells with a low expression level of the Met gene.

Direct sampling mass spectrometry for clinical analysis.

Direct sampling mass spectrometry (MS) has been advancing aggressively, showing immense potential in translating MS into the clinical field. Unlike traditional MS analysis involving extensive sample preparation and chromatographic separation, quick and simple procedures with minimal sample pretreatment or purification became available with direct sampling. An overview of the development in this field is provided, including some representative ambient ionization and fast extraction methods. Quantitative applications of these methods are emphasized and their efficacy are highlighted from a clinical aspect; non-quantitative applications in clinical analysis are also discussed. This review also discusses the integration of direct sampling MS with miniature mass spectrometers and its future outlook as an emerging clinical tool for point-of-care analysis.

A Polymer Coating Transfer Enrichment Method for Direct Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Lipids in Biofluid Samples.

A porous polymer coating transfer enrichment method is developed for the direct mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of lipids. The enrichment is fast (ca. 1 min) and enables the profiling and quantitation of lipids in small-volume biofluid samples. Coupled with a photochemical Paternò-Büchi reaction, this method enables the fast determination of lipid structure at the C=C location level and point-of-care lipid biomarker analysis.

Paper spray ionization mass spectrometry: recent advances and clinical applications.

INTRODUCTION: Paper spray mass spectrometry has provided a rapid, quantitative ambient ionization method for xenobiotic and biomolecule analysis. As an alternative to traditional sample preparation and chromatography, paper spray demonstrates the sampling ionization of a wide range of molecules and significant sensitivity from complex biofluids. The amenability of paper spray with dried blood spots and other sampling types shows strong potential for rapid, point-of-care (POC) analysis without time-consuming separation procedures. Areas covered: This special report summarizes the current state and advances in paper spray mass spectrometry that relate to its applicability for clinical analysis. It also provides our perspectives on the future development of paper spray mass spectrometry and its potential roles in clinical settings. Expert commentary: Paper spray has provided the fundamental aspects of ambient ionization needed for implementation at the POC. With further clinical management and standardization, paper spray has the potential to replace traditional complex analysis procedure for rapid quantitative detection of illicit drugs, therapeutic drugs and metabolites. Surface and substrate modifications also offer significant improvement in desorption and ionization efficiencies, resulting in enhanced sensitivity. Comprehensive analysis of metabolites and lipids will further extend the implementation of paper spray ionization mass spectrometry into clinical applications.

Paper-capillary spray for direct mass spectrometry analysis of biofluid samples.

Paper spray has been developed as an ambient ionization method for direct analysis of biological samples using mass spectrometry. While distinct advantages of paper spray have been demonstrated, especially for quantitative analysis and design of disposable sample cartridges, the need for improvement has also been recognized, especially for the use with miniature mass spectrometers. In this study, we made an improvement to the sampling and ionization by adding a capillary emitter to the paper substrate to produce a paper-capillary spray, which has been shown to have significant, positive impact on the sensitivity and reproducibility for direct mass spectrometry analysis. The paper-capillary devices were fabricated and the effects of the geometry, the treatment of the capillary emitters, as well as the sample disposition methods were characterized. The method's analytical performance was also characterized for analysis of therapeutic drugs in blood samples. Quantitation of cotinine in blood using a commercial triple quadrupole and sitagliptin (Januvia®) in blood using a desktop Mini 12 ion trap mass spectrometer was also demonstrated.

Stimulated Motion Suppression (STMS): a New Approach to Break the Resolution Barrier for Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry.

Ion trap is an excellent platform to perform tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), but has an intrinsic drawback in resolving power. Using ion resonant ejection as an example, the resolution degradation can be largely attributed to the broadening of the resonant frequency band (RFB) between ion motion and driving alternative-current (AC). To solve this problem, stimulated motion suppression (STMS) was developed. The key idea of STMS is the use of two suppression alternative-current (SAC) signals, which both have reversed initial phases to the main AC. The SACs can block the unexpected sideband ion resonances (or ejections), therefore playing a key role in sharpening the RFB. The proof-of-concept has been demonstrated through ion trajectory simulations and validated experimentally. STMS provides a new and versatile means for the improvement of the ion trap resolution, which for a long time has reached the bottleneck through conventional methods, e.g., increasing the radio-frequency (RF) voltage and decreasing the mass scan rate. At the end, it is worth noting that the idea of STMS is very general and principally can be applied in any RF device for the purposes of high-resolution mass analysis and ion isolation. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.