DNA Oligonucleotide Fragmentation in Tandem Mass Spectrometry Experiments
- Multiply negatively charged DNA oligonucleotides of small sizes (n=15-40 bases) have been subjected to a comprehensive tandem mass spectrometric study (MS/MS). Collision induced dissociation (CID) mass spectrometry (MS) was applied as a tool to break down isolated DNA oligonucleotides with a defined number of charges. Various lenghts and sequences were analyzed unravelling a comparable direct correlation between the threshold collision energy for fragmentation and the charge-per-base density in the precusor ion. It was also revealed that the increase in charges and thus Coulomb repulsion results in the transition from a folded, compact form to an elongated structure of the precusor ions.