Name: analysis of complex molecules and their reactions on surfaces by means of cluster-induced desorption/ionization mass spectrometry
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Duration: 7 min 53 s
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Analysis of Complex Molecules and Their Reactions on Surfaces by Means of Cluster-Induced Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry at JoVE.com

The authors acknowledge financial support from the Helmholtz International Center for FAIR (HICforFAIR) and the Helmholtz Graduate School for Hadron and Ion Research (P.S.). The authors thank Prof. Rauschenbach (University of Oxford) and his team for fruitful collaboration on combined ES-IBD/DINeC experiments.

NOTE: The protocol can be paused at any time.
1. Preparation of substrates
<ol>
	<li>For standard samples, cut the substrates from silicon wafers (thickness of approx. 0.5 to 1 mm) in pieces of 1 x 1 cm2.</li>
	<li>Clean the Si substrates in an ultrasound bath of ethanol and acetone for 15 min each.</li>
	<li>Dry the substrates in a stream of dry nitrogen gas.</li>
</ol>
2. Preparation of samples
<ol>
	<li>Standard sample preparation
	<ol>
		<li>For standard samples, prepare the solution containing the analyte molecules according to the scientific question to be addressed. Concentration of the analyte should be at least 1 x 10-10 mol/L.</li>
		<li>Drop-cast 5 to 30 &#181;L of the sample solution on the substrate. Depending on vapor pressure of the solvent, let the sample dry under ambient conditions or in a desiccator until all solvent has been evaporated and a dry film has been formed. Depending on the amount of substance applied, the thickness of the film can be between several ten &#956;m (visual inspection possible) and the monolayer to sub-monolayer regime (thus not detectable by eye).</li>
		<li>Mount the samples on the sample holder (e.g., using sticky tape or clamps tightened by screws, depending on the samples and vacuum conditions required).</li>
		<li>If possible, additionally mount a reference sample such as a micrometer-thick film of angiotensin II, on the sample holder.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Alternative sample preparation
	<ol>
		<li>Use alternative sample preparation schemes such as electrospray ion-beam deposition (ES-IBD) in vacuum or dip coating in a respective solution if applicable.</li>
		<li>Mount samples which are to be prepared and transferred in vacuum on the DINeC sample holder prior to the preparation steps.</li>
		<li>Ensure that dip-coated samples are dry after the final preparation step.</li>
		<li>Consider the simplest preparation scheme. As an example, for the investigation of highlighter ink, just draw a dot on the substrate surface.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
3. Transfer of samples into DINeC mass spectrometer
<ol>
	<li>Transfer of samples from ambient conditions into the evacuated DINeC chamber
	<ol>
		<li>Vent the load-lock system.</li>
		<li>Open the load-lock and mount the sample holder.</li>
		<li>Close the load-lock and pump down the load-lock chamber to a pressure below 2 x 10-5 mbar.</li>
		<li>Open the valve to the DINeC chamber and transfer the sample holder with the transfer rod to the main manipulator. Attach the sample holder to the manipulator.</li>
		<li>Retract the transfer rod and close the valve between load-lock and DINeC chamber. 
		&#160;</li>
		
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Transfer of samples from vacuum into the evacuated DINeC chamber
	<ol>
		<li>Use a transportable vacuum container, which can be attached to the CF40 flange of the DINeC chamber. Transfer the samples, which were prepared in vacuum, with this container without breaking the vacuum. Ensure that the samples are mounted on a sample holder compatible with the manipulator used in the DINeC system.</li>
		<li>Attach the transportable vacuum container to the CF40 flange and pump down the volume between container and DINeC chamber.</li>
		<li>Once the pressure has dropped below 2 x 10-5 mbar, open the gate valves to the DINeC chamber and the transportable vacuum container and transfer the sample into the DINeC chamber onto the manipulator using a wobble stick or another transfer system with more than 50 cm linear movement.</li>
		<li>Retract the transfer system and close the two gate valves.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
4. Preparation of gas mixture
<ol>
	<li>Prepare a mixture of approx. 3% SO2 in helium by first evacuating the gas cylinders of the gas mixing system for 10 min.</li>
	<li>Fill the cylinders with SO2 until a pressure of 1 bar is reached.</li>
	<li>Further fill the cylinders with helium until a total pressure of 30 bar is reached. 
	CAUTION: When using SO2, the respective safety precautions such as storing SO2 cylinders in designated gas cabinets have always to be fulfilled.</li>
</ol>
5. Preparation of DINeC mass spectrometer
<ol>
	<li>Open the valve between the gas cylinder and the nozzle. Adjust the pressure of the SO2/He gas mixture at the outline of the gas mixing system to 15 bar.</li>
	<li>Set the position of the manipulator to the reference sample&#39;s position.</li>
	<li>For measuring cationic mass spectra, set the sample and grid bias to +40 and +7 V, respectively.</li>
	<li>To drive the pulsed nozzle and the ion trap mass spectrometer, set the external function generator to 2 Hz. With the delay generator, set the time delay &#916;tn between the Clear trap signal from the ion trap and the trigger signal for the pulsed nozzle to 5 ms.</li>
	<li>In the control software, adjust the following parameters by pressing the respective buttons or typing the respective values in the Mode page of the main dialogue window: Scan Mode: Enhanced resolution, Range: m/z 50 &#8211; 3000, Accu-time: 0.1 ms, Average: 10 cycles, Polarity: positive for the measurement of cationic mass spectra 
	NOTE: For measuring anionic spectra, the sample and grid bias have to be negative with respect to ground, Polarity has to be switched to Negative in the control software.</li>
</ol>
6. Measurement of mass spectra
<ol>
	<li>Once a pressure below 3 x 10-6 mbar has been reached in the DINeC chamber, the measurement can be started. Start the measurement by first pressing Stand by and then pressing Operate in the control software. Start recording the measurements pressing the Play button.</li>
	<li>Measure a test spectrum from a reference sample such as angiotensin II for about 300 s. Follow the time dependence of the signal using the Chromatogram set to the respective m/z value. Optimize signal intensity by adjustment of the time delay &#916;tn between the Clear trap signal and the signal triggering the pulsed nozzle.</li>
	<li>Move the manipulator to the position of the sample to be measured. Optimize signal intensity by adjustment of the sample position within the sample holder plane.</li>
	<li>Acquire mass spectra over the time span of interest. Modify the experimental parameters such as sample temperature or background pressure in the chamber according to the details of the experiment. Continue to take mass spectra when varying the experimental parameters.</li>
</ol>
7. Data evaluation
<ol>
	<li>After the measurement is finished, load the respective data set in the Data Analysis program. Select the time span of interest in the chromatogram with the right button of the mouse. The averaged spectrum will be displayed in a separate window.</li>
	<li>Export the spectrum as a data file for further processing in a program of choice.</li>
</ol>

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The authors declare that they have nothing to disclose.

In many studies performed so far, a high sensitivity of DINeC-MS on various substances has been demonstrated. Indeed, this allows measurements of analytes down to an amount of substance in the femtomole regime11. Due to this high sensitivity, sample preparation, in particular substrate cleaning, has to be performed with highly pure chemicals in order to avoid contamination in the DINeC mass spectra. As it is the case for many analysis techniques, a proper background measurement from a blank substrate helps to separate peaks from the analyte and peaks which have their origin in substrate/sample preparation.
Although we have shown that the ionization probability of a given analyte molecule is not strongly influenced by the presence of co-adsorbates or co-constituents in mixed samples17,24, the ionization probability may vary from substance to substance13. Thus, it is even more important to work under clean conditions as contaminants, depending on their ionization probability, may contribute to the signal much stronger than the analyte. Preformed ions (e.g., as found in the case of many dye molecules), or molecules with functional groups which show a clear tendency towards proton uptake or deprotonation (i.e., bases or acids), typically show high ionization probability in DINeC-MS. If no such functional group is present in the analyte, ionization probability can be low. The samples then may be treated by ionizing agents such as trifluoro acid (e.g., by exposure of the sample to the vapor pressure of the ionizing agent).
The representative results discussed in Figure 4 and Figure 5 demonstrate the applicability of DINeC-MS for real-time investigations of chemical reactions by means of mass spectrometry. Figure 6 illustrates the submonolayer-sensitivity of the method. If the two properties are combined, chemical reactions on surfaces and their products can be followed in real time23. This can be in particular of interest for so called &#34;on-surface synthesis&#34; which leads to the assembly of macromolecular structures on surfaces3,33,34,35,36. In the current set-up, the observation of such surface reactions is possible on surfaces with lower reactivity such as gold23 and other noble metals; the experiments are more difficult to be performed on highly reactive surfaces such as silicon surfaces37, as the base pressure in the desorption chamber is in the 10-7-mbar-range. Current activities address this limitation and a UHV-compatible DINeC apparatus is being built up. In the case of reactive surfaces, the interaction between SO2 and the substrate surface has to be tested prior to the measurements of surface adsorbates and surface reactions.
As the cluster beam is neutral, it cannot be focused. Beam size on the sample is thus given by the geometry of the set-up and orifice of the skimmer in use; typical values for the beam diameter on the sample is one to several millimeters. As a result, imaging by scanning the sample is possible only with very low resolution. On the other hand, given by the high ionization probability13, DINeC efficiently makes use of the desorbed molecules. Thus, a combination of DINeC-MS and an ion-imaging detector38 seems to be highly attractive.

Surface sensitive analysis techniques are often based on particle probes such as low energy electrons, atoms, or ions which strongly interact with solid samples. As a consequence, they show high surface sensitivity and detailed information on surface structure can be obtained1. Chemical information, however, is often limited. As an example, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy can give quantitative information on the atomic composition and on the average chemical environment of a given species (e.g., the carbon atoms in an organic molecule adsorbed on a surface2). However, more detailed information on complex, surface-adsorbed molecules, such as their detailed structure or binding sites, is difficult to be obtained with standard surface analysis techniques. On the other hand, the need for such information is growing with the increasing interest in surface functionalization by means of organic molecules. The expanding fields of on-surface synthesis3 or surface functionalization by attachment of biomolecules4,5 are two prominent examples. In all these fields, fundamental questions on substrate-adsorbate and adsorbate-adsorbate interactions are investigated in order to better understand the systems. For these investigations, a maximum of information on the adsorbed molecules is desirable.
In part, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) can give such information. First, SIMS is highly surface sensitive. Second, as the sputtered adsorbates and their fragments are detected by means of MS, information well beyond atomic composition is obtained. Depending on the nature of the chemical species adsorbed on the surface, it can be identified by its molecular mass and fragment pattern observed in the mass spectrum6. The fragments induced by the primary ions indeed can help for the identification of the analyzed material. On the other hand, if primary-ion induced modification (fragmentation, ion-induced reactions, mixing) of the sample is too strong, most information on the original state of the sample is lost. Thus, major efforts have been undertaken to reduce fragmentation in SIMS (e.g., using charged molecular clusters as primary ions7,8,9). However, fragmentation still dominates SIMS spectra of large macromolecules and biological samples10, limiting the application of SIMS in various fields.
As an alternative, we have shown desorption/ionization induced by neutral clusters (DINeC) to be a soft and matrix-free ionization method which has been successfully employed for mass spectrometric analysis of complex molecules11,12,13,14,15,16,17. DINeC is based on a beam of molecular clusters which consist of 103 to 104 SO2 molecules (Figure 1). When the clusters impact on the sample, they interact in various ways with the molecules on and in the surface: first, a part of the cluster&#39;s kinetic energy is redistributed and activates desorption. Similarly important, the desorbing molecule is dissolved in the cluster during cluster-surface impact11,18,19 (Figure 1 and Figure 2). In other words, based on the high dipole moment of SO2, the clusters very efficiently serve as a transient matrix for polar analytes. As a result, desorption of the analyte molecules takes place at cluster energies as low as 1 eV/molecule and below. The soft nature of the desorption process is further supported by rapid cooling of the system when the SO2 cluster shatters during and after surface impact11,19. As a consequence of these various aspects, cluster-induced desorption of complex molecules such as peptides, proteins, lipids, and dyes proceeds without any fragmentation of the desorbing molecules11,15; typical mass spectra show the dominant peak at the m/z value of the intact molecule ([M+H]+ or [M-H]-, Figure 3). Depending on the number and nature of functional groups in the molecule, multiple charged cations of the form [M + n&#183;H]n+ are observed11,15,18. For biomolecules, ionization typically takes place via uptake or abstraction of a proton at a basic or acidic functional group, respectively11. If water molecules are present in the sample, SO2 molecules from the cluster can react with these water molecules forming sulfurous acid18. The latter can act as an efficient proton source which further promotes the ionization process in case of ionization via proton uptake (positive ion mode)13,18.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/60487/60487fig1a.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Schematic illustration of cluster-induced desorption/ionization and experimental set-up. Cluster-induced desorption/ionization is performed in a high-vacuum vessel. A beam of SO2 clusters (yellow dots) is produced via supersonic expansion of a SO2/He gas mixture from a pulsed nozzle. During cluster-surface impact, surface molecules are desorbed and ionized. Molecular ions (red/orange dots) are transferred via a biased grid, a dual ion funnel inlet, and octopolar ion guides into the ion trap for mass spectrometry. Typical mass spectra show dominant peaks at m/z values of the intact molecules, here: M1 (orange) and M2 (red) in positive ion mode. Blow up: During cluster surface impact, the desorbed molecules are dissolved in the impacting cluster or one of its fragments. Further shattering and evaporation of SO2 molecules then lead to the bare, intact molecular ion as detected in the mass spectrometer. See also Figure 2. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/60487/60487fig1alarge.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/60487/60487fig2a.jpg" /> 
Figure 2: Snapshots of molecular dynamics simulations illustrating cluster-induced desorption via dissolvation. (A) An SO2 cluster (300 molecules) approaches the surface with 1250 m/s perpendicular to the surface on which a dipeptide (aspartic acid-arginine, ASP-ARG) is adsorbed. (B) During cluster-surface impact, the cluster shatters. The adsorbed dipeptide interacts with the surrounding SO2 molecules leading to its dissolvation in one of the cluster fragments. (C) The cluster fragments are repelled from the surface. The labelled fragment (blue circle) carries the dipeptide which is desorbed in this fragment. This figure has been modified from reference 19. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/60487/60487fig2alarge.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/60487/60487fig03.jpg" /> 
Figure 3: Representative mass spectrum and molecular model of angiotensin II. (A) Mass spectra (top panel: positive ion mode, bottom panel: negative ion mode) as obtained after cluster-induced desorption/ionization from an angiotensin II sample. The sample was prepared by drop-casting the respective solution on a Si wafer (covered by its natural oxide). The main peaks are assigned to the intact biomolecule, [M+H]+ and [M-H]-; no fragmentation patterns are observed. Dimers ([2M+H]+, arrow) further indicate the soft nature of the desorption process. The positive ion signal is more intense due to the influence of the SO2 clusters18. (B) Space-filling model and amino acid sequence of angiotensin II. White balls indicate hydrogen atoms; black: carbon; blue: nitrogen; red: oxygen. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/60487/60487fig3alarge.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
DINeC can be applied to any sort of solid sample which is compatible with high-vacuum conditions. No special sample preparation is required, in particular no matrix has to be applied prior to DINeC-MS measurements, in contrast to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry and related techniques20,21. This enables real time measurements of chemical changes of the sample with varying experimental conditions such as background pressure of reactive species in the vacuum chamber22 or sample temperature. The detection limit of DINeC-MS has been shown to be in the femtomole range11. When applied to the analysis of biomolecules adsorbed on solid surfaces in the submonolayer regime, a surface coverage as low as 0.1% of a monolayer was detected23. In this coverage regime, the signal intensity depends linearly on surface coverage and DINeC-MS can be used for quantitative analysis of the surface composition23. In the case of mixed samples, a quantitative evaluation of the sample composition is possible17,24, as no major effect of the chemical environment on the ionization probability is observed (e.g., in the case of mixed lipid/peptide samples17). This is in clear contrast to SIMS, for which the ionization probability of a given species is typically strongly influenced by the presence of different chemical components (the so-called &#34;matrix effect&#34;25,26).
In addition to surface analysis, chemical composition in the subsurface region can be probed by means of depth profiling17. With the current set-up, typical desorption rates of cluster-induced desorption of biomolecules are of the order 10-3 nm/s. A high depth resolution in the range of 1 to 2 nm has been observed for mixed lipid/peptide samples17.
A further field of application is the combination of DINeC-MS with thin layer chromatography (TLC). Conventional TLC plates can be directly analyzed by means of DINeC-MS. Position-dependent mass spectra can be acquired from the TLC plates and thus mass-specific chromatograms can be obtained from the TLC plates27. No re-elution of the separated analytes is necessary, different to TLC in combination with ESI28,29. No matrix is needed for the DINeC-MS + TLC combination either, in contrast to the coupling of TLC with MALDI28,29.
Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is also a soft desorption/ionization method for MS-applications30,31. The most striking differences between DINeC and DESI are: the quantitative nature of DINeC23, its compatibility with ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) conditions, in particular the possibility to investigate samples prepared and transferred in UHV conditions without breaking the vacuum23, as well as the possibility to efficiently desorb nonpolar molecules19.
In principle, DINeC as desorption/ionization source can be coupled to any type of mass spectrometer. However, the combination with ion trap mass spectrometry features two main advantages: first, the pulse width and repetition rate of a typical pulsed cluster beam correspond very well to the discontinuous accumulation time as well as the spectral rate of the ion trap15,32. Second, the soft nature of the DINeC process leads to desorption of intact molecules. In combination with the MSn capabilities of ion trap mass spectrometry, this allows for a most comprehensive analysis of the investigated samples15.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Acetone rotisolv HPLC</td><td>Roth</td><td>7328.2</td><td>HPLC Gradient Grade</td></tr><tr><td>Copper tape</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ethanol rotisolv HPLC</td><td>Roth</td><td>p076.1</td><td>HPLC Gradient Grade</td></tr><tr><td>Helium</td><td>Praxair</td><td>4800086706</td><td>Purity 99.9999%</td></tr><tr><td>Nitrogen</td><td>Praxair</td><td>40728408</td><td>Purity 99.5 - 100%</td></tr><tr><td>Silicon Wafers</td><td>Active Business Company GmbH</td><td>G60007</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sulfur dioxide</td><td>Air Liquide</td><td>P1734S10R0A001</td><td>Purity 99.98%</td></tr><tr><td>Water rotisolv LC-MS</td><td>Roth</td><td>HN43.1</td><td>Ultra LC-MS</td></tr></tbody></table>

analysis of complex molecules and their reactions on surfaces by means of cluster-induced desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Desorption/Ionization Induced by Neutral SO2 Clusters (DINeC) is employed as a very soft and efficient desorption/ionization technique for mass spectrometry (MS) of complex molecules and their reactions on surfaces. DINeC is based on a beam of SO2 clusters impacting on the sample surface at low cluster energy. During cluster-surface impact, some of the surface molecules are desorbed and ionized via dissolvation in the impacting cluster; as a result of this dissolvation-mediated desorption mechanism, low cluster energy is sufficient and the desorption process is extremely soft. Both surface adsorbates and molecules of which the surface is composed of can be analyzed. Clear and fragmentation-free spectra from complex molecules such as peptides and proteins are obtained. DINeC does not require any special sample preparation, in particular no matrix has to be applied. The method yields quantitative information on the composition of the samples; molecules at a surface coverage as low as 0.1 % of a monolayer can be detected. Surface reactions such as H/D exchange or thermal decomposition can be observed in real-time and the kinetics of the reactions can be deduced. Using a pulsed nozzle for cluster beam generation, DINeC can be efficiently combined with ion trap mass spectrometry. The matrix-free and soft nature of the DINeC process in combination with the MSn capabilities of the ion trap allows for very detailed and unambiguous analysis of the chemical composition of complex organic samples and organic adsorbates on surfaces.

In the following, two examples for the real time application of DINeC-MS are presented. Figure 4 shows the change of the mass spectrum obtained from angiotensin II when the sample is heated to approx. 140 &#176;C. When the final temperature is reached (Figure 4B, Figure 4E), the spectrum is characterized by an additional peak indicating the loss of an H2O entity (m/z = 1029). When keeping the sample at that temperature, further decomposition of the angiotensin II molecules is observed (Figure 4C), including the loss of one of the terminal amino acid units, aspartic acid (peak at m/z = 932, Figure 4D). Quantitative analysis of the data allows to evaluate the underlying reaction kinetics (Figure 4E). In particular, Figure 4E demonstrates that the entity with m/z = 1029 is an intermediate which further decomposes into smaller fragments as the intensity first increases and then decreases. The concomitant rate constants are thus in the same order of magnitude.
As a second example, the investigation of hydrogen/deuterium exchange in angiotensin II22 is illustrated in Figure 5. Upon exposure of the angiotensin sample to D2O in the DINeC chamber (pD2O = 10-4 mbar), the isotopic pattern of angiotensin II is broadened and shifted towards higher m/z values indicating exchange of H by D atoms. The process is fast during the first 60 s but significantly slows down in the further course of the experiment: The isotope pattern in Figure 5B covers a wide m/z range (approx. 15 m/z units). When we define the degree of deuteration d as the number of exchanged H atoms in a molecule, values of d between d = 0 to d = 13 can be extracted from the spectrum. In Figure 5C, the isotope pattern is again reduced in width. This observation can be attributed to the strongly reduced intensity of the peaks which are associated with the lowest degrees of deuteration. In Figure 5D, the spectrum is shown for even longer reaction times. The covered m/z range remains almost the same but the center of mass of the spectrum still shifts slowly towards increasing m/z values. For long exposure times, a part of the molecules reaches the highest degree of deuteration, dmax = 17. It corresponds to the maximum number of exchangeable H atoms, given by the number of H atoms bound to functional groups such as carboxylic acids or amine groups.
Already from the temporal evolution of the spectra, it can be deduced that H/D exchange takes place with different rate constants. For a quantitative description of this observation, the mean degree of deuteration d&#773; is plotted in Figure 5E as a function of time. Inspection of the experimental results (symbols) reveals three different regimes: a fast increase of d&#773; operative for t &#60; 50 s, an intermediate regime for 50 s &#60; t &#60; 200 s, and a slow but almost continuous increase for t &#62; 200 s. The experimental results were simulated by means of Monte Carlo simulations; pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics with reaction constants ki were assumed for the H/D exchange at the functional groups of the molecules investigated22. A good agreement between simulations and experimental results in all three regimes was only obtained when at least three different rate constants ki for the H/D exchange in angiotensin II molecules were applied. In Figure 5F,G, the kinetics as deduced from fitting the experimental isotope patterns by the sum of isotope patterns for different degrees of deuteration (Figure 5A to Figure 5D) are shown. The good agreement between experimental data and simulations as well as the very different exchange rates for low and high degrees of deuterations are clearly observed. By comparison with different oligopeptides such as hexaglycine, the fast exchange rates were attributed to the explicit functional groups, whereas the slow exchange rates were associated with the amide groups of the peptide&#39;s backbone22.
Whereas these first two examples were measured with micrometer-thick angiotensin II samples, Figure 6 shows the results as obtained from submonolayer coverage of angiotensin II on gold samples as prepared by means of electrospray ion-beam deposition (ES-IBD)23. A linear dependence of the signal intensity on amount of substance is observed over 3 orders of magnitude, the lowest amount of substance detected corresponds to 0.1% of a monolayer of angiotensin II molecules on the gold surface. H/D exchange experiments as shown in Figure 5 were also performed with angiotensin II on gold in the submonolayer regime23.
<img alt="Figure 4" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/60487/60487fig4a.jpg" /> 
Figure 4: Real-time observation of thermal degradation of angiotensin II. (A-C) Mass spectra as obtained after cluster-induced desorption/ionization from an angiotensin II sample. (A) Fresh sample at RT. (B) Sample heated to approx. 140 &#176;C. In addition to the peak at m/z = 1047, which is associated with the intact molecule [M+H]+, peaks at m/z = 932, 1012, and 1029 appear (indicated by arrows). (C) The latter peaks increase and the main peak decreases with time when keeping the sample at elevated temperature. (D) Structural formula of angiotensin II indicating the fragment (brown brackets) which leads to the appearance of the peak at m/z = 932 by loss of one amino acid unit (aspartic acid). (E) Time dependence of sample temperature and the intensity of the main peaks indicated in the plots (A) to (C). Solid lines are guides to the eye. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/60487/60487fig4alarge.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 5" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/60487/60487fig05.jpg" /> 
Figure 5: Real-time observation of H/D exchange in angiotensin II. (A-D) Cationic mass spectra of angiotensin II as obtained by means of DINeC-MS. Due to H/D exchange, the isotope pattern broadens and shifts towards higher m/z values in (B) to (D) when compared to the isotope pattern of the undeuterated species shown in (A). Red lines are data, dashed cyan lines are fits to the data taking into account different degrees of deuteration. (E) Average degree of deuteration d&#773; as a function of time as deduced from the experiments (open dots). In addition, d&#773; as a function of time deduced by means of Monte Carlo simulations is shown. Black dashed curve: simulations taking into account one rate constant (k1); red curve: taking into account three rate constants (k1, k2, k3). (F,G) Relative signal intensities of selected degrees of deuteration of angiotensin II (symbols + solid lines) as a function of time together with the corresponding results of the Monte Carlo simulations (dashed lines). This figure has been modified from reference 22. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/60487/60487fig5alarge.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 6" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/60487/60487fig06.jpg" /> 
Figure 6: Application of DINeC-MS to angiotensin II on gold in the submonolayer regime. (A) Schematic representation of the combination of ES-IBD for deposition and DINeC-MS for mass spectrometry of isolated angiotensin II molecules in the submonolayer regime. (B) Dependence of signal intensity on amount substance deposited on the sample as obtained from two independent sets of data (filled and open symbols). Insets: DINeC mass spectra as obtained from samples on which an amount of substance was deposited as indicated. This figure has been modified from reference 23. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/60487/60487fig6alarge.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Analysis of Complex Molecules and Their Reactions on Surfaces by Means of Cluster-Induced Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry at JoVE.com

Analysis of Complex Molecules and Their Reactions on Surfaces by Means of Cluster-Induced Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Neutral SO2 clusters of low kinetic energy (&#60; 0.8 eV/constituent) are used to desorb complex surface molecules such as peptides or lipids for further analysis by means of mass spectrometry using an ion trap mass spectrometer. No special sample preparation is required, and real-time observation of reactions is possible.

Desorption/Ionization Induced by Neutral SO2 Clusters (DINeC) is employed as a very soft and efficient desorption/ionization technique for mass ...

analysis-complex-molecules-their-reactions-on-surfaces-means-cluster

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Chemistry

7.1K Views. Justus Liebig University Giessen. Neutral SO2 clusters of low kinetic energy (< 0.8 eV/constituent) are used to desorb complex surface molecules such as peptides or lipids for further analysis by means of mass spectrometry using an ion trap mass spectrometer. No special sample preparation is required, and real-time observation of reactions is possible.

Video: Analysis of Complex Molecules and Their Reactions on Surfaces by Means of Cluster-Induced Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

In Situ SIMS and IR Spectroscopy of Well-defined Surfaces Prepared by Soft Landing of Mass-selected Ions

Soft landing of mass-selected ions onto surfaces is a powerful approach for the highly-controlled preparation of materials that are inaccessible using conventional synthesis techniques. Coupling soft landing with in situ characterization using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) enables analysis of well-defined surfaces under clean vacuum conditions. The capabilities of three soft-landing instruments constructed in our laboratory are illustrated for the representative system of surface-bound organometallics prepared by soft landing of mass-selected ruthenium tris(bipyridine) dications, [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (bpy = bipyridine), onto carboxylic acid terminated self-assembled monolayer surfaces on gold (COOH-SAMs). In situ time-of-flight (TOF)-SIMS provides insight into the reactivity of the soft-landed ions. In addition, the kinetics of charge reduction, neutralization and desorption occurring on the COOH-SAM both during and after ion soft landing are studied using in situ Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR)-SIMS measurements. In situ IRRAS experiments provide insight into how the structure of organic ligands surrounding metal centers is perturbed through immobilization of organometallic ions on COOH-SAM surfaces by soft landing. Collectively, the three instruments provide complementary information about the chemical composition, reactivity and structure of well-defined species supported on surfaces.

In Situ SIMS and IR Spectroscopy of Well-defined Surfaces Prepared by Soft Landing of Mass-selected Ions

Soft landing of mass-selected ions onto surfaces is a powerful approach for the highly-controlled preparation of novel materials. Coupled with analysis by in situ secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), soft landing provides unprecedented insights into the interactions of well-defined species with surfaces.

Soft landing of mass-selected ions onto surfaces is a powerful approach for the highly-controlled preparation of materials that are inaccessible using ...

Analysis of Volatile and Oxidation Sensitive Compounds Using a Cold Inlet System and Electron Impact Mass Spectrometry

This video presents a protocol for the mass spectrometrical analysis of volatile and oxidation sensitive compounds using electron impact ionization. The analysis of volatile and oxidation sensitive compounds by mass spectrometry is not easily achieved, as all state-of-the-art mass spectrometric methods require at least one sample preparation step, e.g., dissolution and dilution of the analyte (electrospray ionization), co-crystallization of the analyte with a matrix compound (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization), or transfer of the prepared samples into the ionization source of the mass spectrometer, to be conducted under atmospheric conditions. Here, the use of a sample inlet system is described which enables the analysis of volatile metal organyls, silanes, and phosphanes using a sector field mass spectrometer equipped with an electron impact ionization source. All sample preparation steps and the sample introduction into the ion source of the mass spectrometer take place either under air-free conditions or under vacuum, enabling the analysis of compounds highly susceptible to oxidation. The presented technique is especially of interest for inorganic chemists, working with metal organyls, silanes, or phosphanes, which have to be handled using inert conditions, such as the Schlenk technique. The principle of operation is presented in this video.

This video presents a protocol for the mass spectrometrical analysis of volatile and oxidation sensitive compounds using electron impact ionization. The presented technique is especially of interest for inorganic chemists, working with metal organyls, silanes, or phosphanes which have to be handled using inert conditions, such as the Schlenk technique.

This video presents a protocol for the mass spectrometrical analysis of volatile and oxidation sensitive compounds using electron impact ionization. The ...

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) provides untargeted molecular information with the highest specificity and spatial resolution for investigating biological tissues at the hundreds to tens of microns scale. When performed under ambient conditions, sample pre-treatment becomes unnecessary, thus simplifying the protocol while maintaining the high quality of information obtained. Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is a spray-based ambient MSI technique that allows for the direct sampling of surfaces in the open air, even in vivo. When used with a software-controlled sample stage, the sample is rastered underneath the DESI ionization probe, and through the time domain, m/z information is correlated with the chemical species' spatial distribution. The fidelity of the DESI-MSI output depends on the source orientation and positioning with respect to the sample surface and mass spectrometer inlet. Herein, we review how to prepare tissue sections for DESI imaging and additional experimental conditions that directly affect image quality. Specifically, we describe the protocol for the imaging of rat brain tissue sections by DESI-MSI.

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) is an ambient method by which samples, including biological tissues, can be imaged with minimal sample preparation. By rastering the sample below the ionization probe, this spray-based technique provides sufficient spatial resolution to discern molecular features of interest within tissue sections.

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) provides untargeted molecular information with the highest specificity and spatial resolution for investigating biological ...

Bioengineering

Using a Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Tandem Ion Mobility Experiments

Accurate characterization of chemical structures is important to understand their underlying biological mechanisms and functional properties. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a popular tool but is not always sufficient to completely unveil all structural features. For example, although carbohydrates are biologically relevant, their characterization is complicated by numerous levels of isomerism. Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is an interesting complement because it is sensitive to ion conformations and, thus, to isomerism. 
Furthermore, recent advances have significantly improved the technique: the last generation of Cyclic IMS instruments offers additional capabilities compared to linear IMS instruments, such as an increased resolving power or the possibility to perform tandem ion mobility (IMS/IMS) experiments. During IMS/IMS, an ion is selected based on its ion mobility, fragmented, and reanalyzed to obtain ion mobility information about its fragments. Recent work showed that the mobility profiles of the fragments contained in such IMS/IMS data can act as a fingerprint of a particular glycan and can be used in a molecular networking strategy to organize glycomics datasets in a structurally relevant way. 
The goal of this protocol is thus to describe how to generate IMS/IMS data, from sample preparation to the final Collision Cross Section (CCS) calibration of the ion mobility dimension that yields reproducible spectra. Taking the example of one representative glycan, this protocol will show how to build an IMS/IMS control sequence on a Cyclic IMS instrument, how to account for this control sequence to translate IMS arrival time into drift time (i.e., the effective separation time applied to the ions), and how to extract the relevant mobility information from the raw data. This protocol is designed to clearly explain the critical points of an IMS/IMS experiment and thus help new Cyclic IMS users perform straightforward and reproducible acquisitions.

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is an interesting complement to mass spectrometry for the characterization of biomolecules, notably because it is sensitive to isomerism. This protocol describes a tandem IMS (IMS/IMS) experiment, which allows the isolation of a molecule and the generation of the mobility profiles of its fragments.

Accurate characterization of chemical structures is important to understand their underlying biological mechanisms and functional properties. Mass ...

Analyzing Large Protein Complexes by Structural Mass Spectrometry

Living cells control and regulate their biological processes through the coordinated action of a large number of proteins that assemble themselves into an array of dynamic, multi-protein complexes1. To gain a mechanistic understanding of the various cellular processes, it is crucial to determine the structure of such protein complexes, and reveal how their structural organization dictates their function. Many aspects of multi-protein complexes are, however, difficult to characterize, due to their heterogeneous nature, asymmetric structure, and dynamics. Therefore, new approaches are required for the study of the tertiary levels of protein organization.
One of the emerging structural biology tools for analyzing macromolecular complexes is mass spectrometry (MS)2-5. This method yields information on the complex protein composition, subunit stoichiometry, and structural topology. The power of MS derives from its high sensitivity and, as a consequence, low sample requirement, which enables examination of protein complexes expressed at endogenous levels. Another advantage is the speed of analysis, which allows monitoring of reactions in real time. Moreover, the technique can simultaneously measure the characteristics of separate populations co-existing in a mixture. 
Here, we describe a detailed protocol for the application of structural MS to the analysis of large protein assemblies. The procedure begins with the preparation of gold-coated capillaries for nanoflow electrospray ionization (nESI). It then continues with sample preparation, emphasizing the buffer conditions which should be compatible with nESI on the one hand, and enable to maintain complexes intact on the other. We then explain, step-by-step, how to optimize the experimental conditions for high mass measurements and acquire MS and tandem MS spectra. Finally, we chart the data processing and analyses that follow. Rather than attempting to characterize every aspect of protein assemblies, this protocol introduces basic MS procedures, enabling the performance of MS and MS/MS experiments on non-covalent complexes. Overall, our goal is to provide researchers unacquainted with the field of structural MS, with knowledge of the principal experimental tools.

Mass spectrometry has proven to be a valuable tool for analyzing large protein complexes. This method enables insights into the composition, stoichiometry and overall architecture of multi-subunit assemblies. Here, we describe, step-by-step, how to perform a structural mass spectrometry analysis, and characterize macromolecular structures.

Living cells control and regulate their biological processes through the coordinated action of a large number of proteins that assemble themselves into an ...

Biology

Direct Analysis of Single Cells by Mass Spectrometry at Atmospheric Pressure

Analysis of biochemicals in single cells is important for understanding cell metabolism, cell cycle, adaptation, disease states, etc. Even the same cell types exhibit heterogeneous biochemical makeup depending on their physiological conditions and interactions with the environment. Conventional methods of mass spectrometry (MS) used for the analysis of biomolecules in single cells rely on extensive sample preparation. Removing the cells from their natural environment and extensive sample processing could lead to changes in the cellular composition. Ambient ionization methods enable the analysis of samples in their native environment and without extensive sample preparation.1 The techniques based on the mid infrared (mid-IR) laser ablation of biological materials at 2.94 &mu;m wavelength utilize the sudden excitation of water that results in phase explosion.2 Ambient ionization techniques based on mid-IR laser radiation, such as laser ablation electrospray ionization (LAESI) and atmospheric pressure infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (AP IR-MALDI), have successfully demonstrated the ability to directly analyze water-rich tissues and biofluids at atmospheric pressure.3-11 In LAESI the mid-IR laser ablation plume that mostly consists of neutral particulate matter from the sample coalesces with highly charged electrospray droplets to produce ions. Recently, mid-IR ablation of single cells was performed by delivering the mid-IR radiation through an etched fiber. The plume generated from this ablation was postionized by an electrospray enabling the analysis of diverse metabolites in single cells by LAESI-MS.12 This article describes the detailed protocol for single cell analysis using LAESI-MS. The presented video demonstrates the analysis of a single epidermal cell from the skin of an Allium cepa bulb. The schematic of the system is shown in Figure 1. A representative example of single cell ablation and a LAESI mass spectrum from the cell are provided in Figure 2.

Single cell analysis is performed by mass spectrometry on plant and animal cells at atmospheric pressure by using a sharpened optical fiber to sample the cells for laser ablation electrospray ionization (LAESI) mass spectrometry.

Analysis of biochemicals in single cells is important for understanding cell metabolism, cell cycle, adaptation, disease states, etc. Even the same cell ...

Dithranol as a Matrix for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging on a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) determines the spatial localization and distribution patterns of compounds on the surface of a tissue section, mainly using MALDI (matrix&#160;assisted laser desorption/ionization)-based analytical techniques. New matrices for small-molecule MSI, which can improve the analysis of low-molecular weight (MW) compounds, are needed. These matrices should provide increased analyte signals while decreasing MALDI background signals. In addition, the use of ultrahigh-resolution instruments, such as Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometers, has&#160;the ability to resolve analyte signals from matrix signals, and this can partially overcome many problems associated with the background originating from the MALDI matrix. The reduction in the intensities of the metastable matrix clusters by FTICR MS can also help to overcome some of the interferences associated with matrix peaks on other instruments. High-resolution instruments such as the FTICR mass spectrometers are advantageous as they can produce distribution patterns of many compounds simultaneously while still providing confidence in chemical identifications. Dithranol (DT; 1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-one) has previously been reported as a MALDI matrix for tissue imaging. In this work, a protocol for the use of DT for MALDI imaging of endogenous lipids from the surfaces of mammalian tissue sections, by positive-ion MALDI-MS, on an ultrahigh-resolution hybrid quadrupole FTICR instrument has been provided.

Dithranol (DT; 1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-one) has previously been reported as a MALDI matrix for tissue imaging of small molecules; protocols for the use of DT for the MALDI imaging of endogenous lipids on the surface of tissue sections&#160;by positive-ion MALDI-MS on an ultrahigh-resolution quadrupole-FTICR instrument are provided here.

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) determines the spatial localization and distribution patterns of compounds on the surface of a tissue section, mainly ...

Simultaneous Affinity Enrichment of Two Post-Translational Modifications for Quantification and Site Localization

Studying multiple post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins is a crucial step to understand PTM crosstalk and gain more holistic insights into protein function. Despite the importance of multi-PTM enrichment studies, few studies investigate more than one PTM at a time, due partially to the expenses, time, and large protein quantities required to perform multiple global proteomic analysis of PTMs. The &#34;one-pot&#34; affinity enrichment detailed in this protocol overcomes these barriers by permitting the simultaneous identification and quantification of peptides with lysine residues containing acetylation and succinylation PTMs with low amounts of sample input. The protocol involves preparation of protein lysate from mouse livers of SIRT5 knockout mice, performance of trypsin digestion, enrichment for PTMs, and performance of mass spectrometric analysis using a data-independent acquisition (DIA) workflow. Because this workflow allows for the enrichment of two PTMs from the same sample simultaneously, it provides a practical tool to study PTM crosstalk without requiring large amounts of samples, and it greatly reduces the time required for sample preparation, data acquisition, and analysis. The DIA component of the workflow provides comprehensive PTM-specific information. This is particularly important when studying PTM site localization, as DIA provides comprehensive sets of fragment ions that can be computationally deciphered to differentiate between different PTM localization isoforms.

This workflow describes the performance of time- and cost-efficient enrichment of multiple protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) simultaneously for quantitative global proteomic analysis. The protocol utilizes peptide-level PTM enrichment with multiple conjugated antibodies, followed by data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry analysis to gain biological insights into PTM crosstalk.

Studying multiple post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins is a crucial step to understand PTM crosstalk and gain more holistic insights into ...

Introduction to Mass Spectrometry

Source: Laboratory of Dr. Khuloud Al-Jamal - King&#39;s College London

Mass spectrometry is an analytical chemistry technique that enables the identification of unknown compounds within a sample, the quantification of known materials, the determination of the structure, and chemical properties of different molecules.
A mass spectrometer is composed of an ionization source, an analyzer,&#160;and a detector. The process involves the ionization of chemical compounds to generate ions. When using inductively coupled plasma (ICP), samples containing elements of interest are introduced into argon plasma as aerosol droplets. The plasma dries the aerosol, dissociates the molecules, and then removes an electron from the components to be detected by the mass spectrometer. Other ionization methods such as electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) are used to analyze biological samples. Following the ionization procedure, ions are separated in the mass spectrometer according to their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z), and the relative abundance of each ion type is measured. Finally, the detector commonly consists in an electron multiplier where the collision of ions with a charged anode leads to a cascade of increasing number of electrons, which can be detected by an electrical circuit connected to a computer.
In this video, the procedure of ICP-MS analysis will be described by the detection of 56Fe as an example.

Mass Spectrometer: Principle, Operation, Applications

Source: Laboratory of Dr. Khuloud Al-Jamal - King&#39;s College London

Mass spectrometry is an analytical chemistry technique that enables the ...

Education

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Analytical Chemistry

Mass Spectrometry: Overview

Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to determine the molecular mass and molecular formula of a compound. The basic principle of mass spectrometry is to generate ions from the analyte molecule and measure these ion abundances against their molecular mass.&#160; One common type of ionization, known as electrospray ionization or EI, bombards the analyte molecules in the gas phase with high-energy electron beams. The electron beams displace an electron from the molecule and leave behind a charged species called a molecular ion. A molecular ion is a radical cation, meaning it contains an unpaired electron and has a positive charge. The molecular ion has effectively the same mass as the analyte molecule, considering the electron mass is negligible. Therefore, given a single charge on the molecular ion and a similar mass as the analyte molecule, the mass-to-charge ratio measured in the mass spectrometry is the same as the molecular mass of the analyte molecule.
The instability that arises due to the charge leads to molecular ion fragmentation into cations, radicals, neutral molecules, and other radical cations with smaller molecular mass. The molecular ion fragments at its weakened bonds to produce stable fragments. The mass-to-charge ratio of the charged species among the fragments is also measured. The information about the molecular ion and the charged species fragmented from the molecular ion can provide details about the molecular mass, chemical structure, and molecular formula of the analyte molecule.

Analysis of Complex Molecules and Their Reactions on Surfaces by Means of Cluster-Induced Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Summary

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Chapters in this video

In Situ SIMS and IR Spectroscopy of Well-defined Surfaces Prepared by Soft Landing of Mass-selected Ions

Analysis of Volatile and Oxidation Sensitive Compounds Using a Cold Inlet System and Electron Impact Mass Spectrometry

Imaging of Biological Tissues by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Using a Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometer for Tandem Ion Mobility Experiments

Analyzing Large Protein Complexes by Structural Mass Spectrometry

Direct Analysis of Single Cells by Mass Spectrometry at Atmospheric Pressure

Dithranol as a Matrix for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging on a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer

Simultaneous Affinity Enrichment of Two Post-Translational Modifications for Quantification and Site Localization

Introduction to Mass Spectrometry

Mass Spectrometry: Overview