Attomole-Sensitivity Electrospray Source for Large-Molecule Mass Spectrometry

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) Vol. 67; no. 20; pp. 3802 - 3805
• Main Authors: Valaskovic, Gary A, Kelleher, Neil L, Little, Daniel P, Aaserud, David J, McLafferty, Fred W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 15.10.1995
• Subjects: Animals; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Cattle; Cytochrome c Group - analysis; Cytochrome c Group - chemistry; DNA - analysis; DNA - chemistry; Fourier Analysis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Horses; Lasers; Mass Spectrometry; Molecular biophysics; Molecular Weight; Molecules; Proteins; Scientific imaging; Spectroscopy : techniques and spectras; Ubiquitins - analysis; Ubiquitins - chemistry; Proteins; Fourier transformation; Analysis method; High sensitivity; DNA; Biological macromolecule; Mass spectrometry; Nucleic acid; Electrospray
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/ac00116a030

Full mass spectra of high resolving power are obtained from 0.2 nL sample volumes of large (> 10 kDa) nucleotides and proteins using a new electrospray ionization (ESI) system combined with Fourier transform mass spectrometry. The ESI needles are fabricated by laser-heated pulling of fused-silica tubing (5-20 microns i.d.), followed by chemical etching and surface metalization. Total analyte loaded at the instrument of 8.6 fmol and 216 amol produces signal-to-noise ratios of 400:1 and 60:1, respectively, and resolving power of > 10(5) for full mass spectra, while the total amount of material consumed is approximately 150 and 10 amol, respectively.