Distinguishing between Isobaric Ions Using Microdroplet Hydrogen–Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry
Xiaowei Song, Jia Li, Mohammad Mofidfar, Richard N. Zare
Abstract
Isobaric ions having the same mass-to-charge ratio cannot be separately identified by mass spectrometry (MS) alone, but this limitation can be overcome by using hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) in microdroplets. Because isobaric ions may contain a varied number of exchangeable sites and different types of functional groups, each one produces a unique MS spectral pattern after droplet spray HDX without the need for MS/MS experiments or introduction of ion mobility measurements. As an example of the power of this approach, isobaric ions in urinary metabolic profiles are identified and used to distinguish between healthy individuals and those having bladder cancer.
Topics & Concepts
Isobaric processIonMass spectrometryChemistryHydrogen–deuterium exchangeDeuteriumIsobaric labelingIon-mobility spectrometryHydrogenAnalytical Chemistry (journal)Atomic physicsChromatographyTandem mass spectrometryThermodynamicsPhysicsProtein mass spectrometryOrganic chemistryMass Spectrometry Techniques and ApplicationsMetabolomics and Mass Spectrometry StudiesAnalytical Chemistry and Chromatography