Tandem MS experiments allow the fast acquisition of spectral datasets with enormous size and unprecedented content of information. The most commonly used method is undoubtedly collision induced dissociation (CID). The relatively young technical adaptation of CID to modern day Orbitrap experiments needs a higher confinement voltage and has accordingly been named higher-energy collisional dissociation HCD. Despite the name the absolute value of transferred energy per collision in HCD is lower than in CID. Since for many proteins CID and HCD result in comparable fragmentation patterns the two techniques are often treated as interchangeable. This approach is, however, not without pitfalls as other classes of biomolecules often exhibit strongly pronounced fragmentation specificity. As an example, MS/MS experiments on several 4-mer oligonucleotides were conducted employing both collision methods and the results were thoroughly compared. It is apparent that not only the total fragment yield but also the identity of the observed fragments differ significantly between the two methods.
Despite their immense and rapidly increasing
importance as analytical tools or therapeutic drugs, the detailed
structural features of particular monoclonal antibodies are
widely unknown. Here, an antibody already in use for diagnostic
purposes and for molecular dosimetry studies in cancer therapy
with very high affinity and specificity for cisplatin-induced DNA
modifications was studied extensively. The molecular structure
and modifications as well as the antigen specificity were
investigated mainly by mass spectrometry. Using nano electrospray
ionization mass spectrometry, it was possible to characterize the antibody in its native state. Tandem-MS experiments not
only revealed specific fragments but also gave information on the molecular structure. The detailed primary structure was further
elucidated by proteolytic treatment with a selection of enzymes and high resolution tandem-MS. The data were validated by
comparison with known antibody sequences. Then, the complex glycan structures bound to the antibody were characterized in
all detail. The Fc-bound oligosaccharides were released enzymatically and studied by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
mass spectrometry. Overall 16 different major glycan structures were identified. The binding specificity of the antibody was
investigated by applying synthetic single and double stranded DNA oligomers harboring distinct Pt adducts. The antibody−
antigen complexes were analyzed by mass spectrometry under native conditions. The stability of the complex with double
stranded DNA was also investigated.