Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry and Tandem Mass Spectrometry of Small Oligonucleotides.

摘要

We have carried out a preliminary evaluation of electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry for the analysis of small oligonucleotides. In addition to the qualitative and quantitative potential suggested by the success of ESI of peptides and proteins, ESI tandem mass spectrometry may also be amenable of large oligonucleotides is usually performed by chemical degradation or by the chain termination technique. Smaller oligonucleotides have been analyzed by mass spectrometry with advantages in speed and simplicity of analysis. Tandem spectrometry has been effectively employed for the singly charged molecular anions of oligonucleotides to a polymerization level of n = 6(sup 4). Fenn and co-workers have reported the ESI of nucleotide mono-, di- and triphosphates. A ESI mass spectrum of a deoxynucleotide 14-mer has also been recently reported.