High throughput analysis of proteins using mid-infrared laser

摘要

Large-scale analysis of proteins, which are functional biomolecules, has assumed an important role in the life sciences. Mass spectrometry is one of the techniques used to identify ptoreins. Direct desorption and ionization of proteins from polyacrylamide gel is expected to be a the high-throughput technique in proteomics, which will eliminate several problems such as sample loss, adduct formation, and contamination. In this study, we performed direct ionization of a protein, bovine insulin, in a polyacrylamide gel without matrix addition with a tunable MIR nanosecond pulsed laser. Mass spectra of insulin in an acrylamide gel and an acrylamide solution were recorded in the wavelength range 5.8-5.9 μm and at a wavelength of 6.0 μm, respectively. This wavelength corresponds to the > C=O stretching vibration mode of acrylamide.