Development of native mass spectrometry with nanoelectrospray ionization coupled to size exclusion chromatography for proteins.

RATIONALE: Native mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique used to determine the molecular mass of protein complexes without cross-linking. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with native MS using conventional electrospray ionization (ESI) has been reported to allow online buffer exchange. To detect a wide variety of protein complexes without a collapse in the ionization process, it is important to build an online system that enables robust analysis with a low flow rate. METHODS: We created an online native MS system equipped with nanoESI connected to the SEC component (online SEC/nanoESI system) and optimized several parameters for SEC separation and ionization. The constructed system was used to measure a solution consisting of a protein mixture of various molecular masses (10-300 kDa) to verify characteristics such as the measurable molecular mass range, reproducibility, and online buffer exchange. RESULTS: The optimal flow rates for SEC separation and nanoESI analysis using this system were 200 and 1 µL/min, respectively. This system was able to analyze proteins in the ranges of 10-300 and 20-300 kDa for protein samples in ammonium acetate and nonvolatile buffer, respectively. Furthermore, the results of consecutive measurements showed that the relative standard deviations of the retention times and observed masses for each protein were sufficiently small. CONCLUSIONS: We created an online SEC/nanoESI system and evaluated its utility for the analysis of various proteins in conventional measurement solvent and nonvolatile buffer. As a result, the structural stability and resolution of the proteins were found to be sufficient when using online buffer exchange. Therefore, this online SEC/nanoESI system would be a useful technique for obtaining mass spectra of various proteins automatically with good resolution, simply by loading samples into an autosampler.

Characterization and Value Assignment of a Monoclonal Antibody Reference Material, NMIJ RM 6208a, AIST-MAB.

Monoclonal antibodies have been established as the largest product class of biopharmaceuticals. Since extensive characterization is required for development and quality control of monoclonal antibody, a widely available reference material (RM) is needed. Herein, a humanized IgG1κ monoclonal antibody reference material, RM 6208-a, AIST-MAB, was established by the National Metrology Institute of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NMIJ/AIST). The monoclonal antibody solution was produced as a pharmaceutical grade using a Chinese hamster ovary-derived cell line. The assigned indicative value represents the concentration of the antibody with a heterotetrameric structure including oligomeric forms, determined by an amino acid analysis using isotope dilution mass spectrometry, and their homogeneity and stability were assessed. In addition to antibody concentration, various physicochemical properties, including peptide mapping data, charge variants, and aggregates, were examined. This RM is intended for use in validation of analytical procedures and instruments such as a system suitability test for quantification of antibody. It is also intended for comparing and evaluating the results of antibody analyses across analytical methods and analytical laboratories such as inter-laboratory comparison. Both the material and the set of data from our study provide a tool for an accurate and reliable characterization of product quality attributes of monoclonal antibodies in biopharmaceutical and metrology communities.

CaM kinase phosphatase (CaMKP/PPM1F/POPX2) is specifically inactivated through gallate-mediated protein carbonylation.

CaMK phosphatase (CaMKP/PPM1F/POPX2) is a Mn2+-dependent, calyculin A/okadaic acid-insensitive Ser/Thr protein phosphatase that belongs to the PPM family. CaMKP is thought to be involved in regulation of not only various protein kinases, such as CaM kinases and p21-activated protein kinase, but also of cellular proteins regulated by phosphorylation. A large-scale screening of a chemical library identified gallic acid and some of its alkyl esters as novel CaMKP inhibitors highly specific to CaMKP. Surprisingly, they caused specific carbonylation of CaMKP, leading to its inactivation. Under the same conditions, no carbonylation nor inactivation was observed when PPM1A, which is affiliated with the same family as CaMKP, and λ-phosphatase were used. The carbonylation reaction was inhibited by SH compounds such as cysteamine in a dose-dependent manner with a concomitant decrease in CaMKP inhibition by ethyl gallate. The pyrogallol structure of gallate was necessary for the gallate-mediated carbonylation of CaMKP. Point mutations of CaMKP leading to impairment of phosphatase activity did not significantly affect the gallate-mediated carbonylation. Ethyl gallate resulted in almost complete inhibition of CaMKP under the conditions where the carbonylation level was nearly identical to that of CaMKP carbonylation via metal-catalyzed oxidation with ascorbic acid/FeSO4, which resulted in only a partial inhibition of CaMKP. The gallate-mediated carbonylation of CaMKP absolutely required divalent cations such as Mn2+, Cu2+, Co2+ and Fe2+, and was markedly enhanced by a phosphopeptide substrate. When MDA-MB-231 cells transiently expressing CaM kinase I, a CaMKP substrate, were treated by ethyl gallate, significant enhancement of phosphorylation of CaM kinase I was observed, suggesting that ethyl gallate can penetrate into cells to inactivate cellular CaMKP. All the presented data strongly support the hypothesis that CaMKP undergoes carbonylation of its specific amino acid residues by incubation with alkyl gallates and the divalent metal cations, leading to inactivation specific to CaMKP.

Identification of Novel Proteins in Foam Nests of the Japanese Forest Green Tree Frog, Rhacophorus arboreus.

Foam nests of frogs are natural biosurfactants that contain potential compounds for biocompatible materials, Drug Delivery System (DDS), emulsifiers, and bioremediation. To elucidate the protein components in the foam nests of Rhacophorus arboreus, which is an endemic Japanese frog species commonly seen during the rainy season, we performed amino acid analysis, SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using intact foam nests. Many proteins were detected in these foam nests, ranging from a few to several hundred kDa, with both essential and non-essential amino acids. Next, we performed transcriptome analysis using a next-generation sequencer on total RNAs extracted from oviducts before egg-laying. The soluble foam nests were purified by LC-MS and analyzed using Edman degradation, and the identified N-terminal sequences were matched to the transcriptome data. Four proteins that shared significant sequence homologies with extracellular superoxide dismutase of Nanorana parkeri, vitelline membrane outer layer protein 1 homolog of Xenopus tropicalis, ranasmurfin of Polypedates leucomystax, and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin of Sorex araneus were identified. Prior to purification of the foam nests, they were treated with both a reducing reagent and an alkylating agent, and LC-MS/ MS analyses were performed. We identified 22 proteins in the foam nests that were homologous with proteinase inhibitors, ribonuclease, glycoproteins, antimicrobial protein and barrier, immunoglobulin-binding proteins, glycoprotein binding protein, colored protein, and keratin-associated protein. The presence of these proteins in foam nests, along with small molecules, such as carbohydrates and sugars, would protect them against microbial and parasitic attack, oxidative stress, and a shortage of moisture.

Certification and stability assessment of recombinant human growth hormone as a certified reference material for protein quantification.

A certified reference material (CRM) for the quantification of protein, essential to manage quality control and quality assurance in protein-related works, has been developed. Amino acid analysis with conventional acid hydrolysis and isotope dilution HPLC-MS was used to establish an SI-traceable absolute protein quantification method using recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) as a model protein. The certification method was verified by comparative studies between 1) different methods of protein quantification based on microwave-assisted hydrolysis, and 2) different labs as part of the Asian Collaboration on Reference Material project with Japan, China, and Korea. Certification, evaluation of measurement uncertainty, homogeneity testing, and stability testing were carried out, after which the candidate CRM for hGH quantification was successfully certified with excellent agreement within the certified value in the two comparative studies. Although the quantification value of hGH by amino acid analysis showed good robustness in various conditions, results of intact protein analysis showed degradation profiles in temperatures higher than 4 °C. Consequently, storage and dissemination conditions should be set in accordance with stability tests. Based on the results, this method is believed to be suitable for accurate quantification of hGH. Additionally, it can also be used as a guide to preparation of CRM, and instructions for quality management of protein work for other similar proteins.

Autoactivation of C-terminally truncated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) Iδ via CaMK kinase-independent autophosphorylation.

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase I isoforms (CaMKIα, ß, γ, and δ) play important roles in Ca2+ signaling in eukaryotic cells by being activated by CaMK kinase (CaMKK) through phosphorylation at a Thr residue in the activation loop. However, we have recently found that, unlike rat CaMKIα (rCaMKIα), C-terminally truncated fragments of zebrafish and mouse CaMKIδ [zCaMKIδ(1-299) and mCaMKIδ(1-297)] produced by Escherichia coli exhibit almost full activity in the absence of CaMKK. To address the CaMKK-independent activation mechanism of CaMKIδ in E. coli cells, here we performed comparative analyses between recombinant zCaMKIδ(1-299) and rCaMKIα(1-294) in vitro. By using a kinase-dead mutant of zCaMKIδ(1-299) and λ phosphatase coexpression method, we elucidated that zCaMKIδ(1-299) was highly autophosphorylated and activated in E. coli during cell culture, but rCaMKIα(1-294) was not. The major autophosphorylation site leading to activation of the kinase was Ser296, determined using mass spectrometry analysis in conjunction with site-directed mutagenesis. Furthermore, mimicking phosphorylation at Ser296 in full-length zCaMKIδ resulted in additional activation of the kinase compared with CaMKI fully activated by CaMKK. Our results provide the first evidence that CaMKIδ is activated through CaMKK-independent phosphorylation at Ser296, which might be a clue to understand the physiological regulation of CaMKIδ isoform.

Isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for sensitive quantification of human insulin in serum using derivatization-technique.

An isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) method for measuring insulin levels in human serum was developed using C-terminal-derivatization method coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The carboxyl groups of Glu-C-cleavage products were derivatized with 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)piperazine to increase MS/MS sensitivity and IDMS quantification, resulting in increases in LC-MS/MS peak areas of derivatized Glu-C-cleavage products of human insulin by ∼23-(A5-17 peptide) to 49-fold(B14-21 peptide), respectively, as compared with results observed in the absence of derivatization. Separation was achieved on a C18 column by gradient elution at 0.3 mL/min, with a mobile phase composed of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile and water. Validation studies of target peptides (B1-13 peptide and B14-21 peptide) revealed a linear response in the range of 0.05 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL (regression coefficient, r2 = 0.9987 and 0.9988, respectively), a relative standard deviation within and between days of <8.6%, and spike and recovery test results indicating mean recoveries ranging from 100.2% to 106.6%. Comparison with an established commercial immunoassay showed high correlation (r2 = 0.9943 and 0.9944, B1-13 peptide and B14-21 peptide, respectively) at serum concentrations of between 0.20 ng/mL and 1.51 ng/mL. These findings suggested that this IDMS-based approach was able to quantify human serum insulin with high sensitivity and precision in the reference interval and indicated a potential for determining serum-insulin reference-measurement procedures to allow traceable measurement.

Implementing a Reference Measurement System for C-Peptide: Successes and Lessons Learned.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of endogenous insulin secretion by measuring C-peptide concentrations is widely accepted. Recent studies have shown that preservation of even small amounts of endogenous C-peptide production in patients with type 1 diabetes reduces risks for diabetic complications. Harmonization of C-peptide results will facilitate comparison of data from different research studies and later among clinical laboratory results at different sites using different assay methods. CONTENT: This review provides an overview of the general process of harmonization and standardization and the challenges encountered with implementing a reference measurement system for C-peptide. SUMMARY: Efforts to harmonize C-peptide results are described, including those by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases-led C-peptide Standardization Committee in the US, activities in Japan, efforts by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control in the UK, as well as activities led by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures and the National Metrology Institute in China. A traceability scheme is proposed along with the next steps for implementation. Suggestions are made for better collaboration to optimize the harmonization process for other measurands.

Quantification of peptides using N-terminal isotope coding and C-terminal derivatization for sensitive analysis by micro liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Stable isotope-coding coupled with mass spectrometry is a popular method for quantitative proteomics and peptide quantification. However, the efficiency of the derivatization reaction at a particular functional group, especially in complex structures, can affect accuracy. Here, we present a dual functional-group derivatization of bioactive peptides followed by micro liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). By separating the sensitivity-enhancement and isotope-coding derivatization reactions, suitable chemistries can be chosen. The peptide amino groups were reductively alkylated with acetaldehyde or acetaldehyde-d4 to afford N-alkylated products with different masses. This process is simple, quick and high-yield, and accurate comparative analysis can be achieved for the mass-differentiated peptides. Then, the carboxyl groups were derivatized with 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)piperazine to increase MS/MS sensitivity. Angiotensins I-IV, bradykinin and neurotensin were analyzed after online solid phase extraction by micro LC-MS/MS. In all instances, a greater than 17-fold increase in sensitivity was achieved, compared with the analyses of the underivatized peptides. Furthermore, the values obtained from the present method were in agreement with the result from isotope dilution quantification using isotopically labeled angiotensin I [Asp-Arg-(Val-d8 )-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-(Phe-d8 )-His-Leu]. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

2-Hydrazinoquinoline: a reactive matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry to detect gaseous carbonyl compounds.

The sensitivity, range of applications, and reaction mechanism of 2-hydrazinoquinoline as a reactive matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) were examined. Using a reaction chamber (125L) equipped with a stirring fan and a window for moving the MALDI-MS plate and volatile samples in and out, the sensitivities of 2-hydrazinoquinoline to gaseous aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, and n-butyraldehyde) and ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and methyl isobutyl ketone) were determined to be at least parts per million (ppm) levels. On the other hand, carboxylic acids (formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid) and esters (ethyl acetate, pentyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, and methyl salicylate) could not be detected by 2-hydrazinoquinoline in MALDI-MS. In addition to 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, a common derivatization reagent for analyzing carbonyl compounds quantitatively in gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, the dissolution of 2-hydrazinoquinoline in an acidic solution, such as trifluoroacetic acid, was essential for its function as a reactive matrix for MALDI- MS.

Quantification of glycated N-terminal peptide of hemoglobin using derivatization for multiple functional groups of amino acids followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

A novel method of amino acid analysis using derivatization of multiple functional groups (amino, carboxyl, and phenolic hydroxyl groups) was applied to measure glycated amino acids in order to quantify glycated peptides and evaluate the degree of glycation of peptide. Amino and carboxyl groups of amino acids were derivatized with 1-bromobutane so that the hydrophobicities and basicities of the amino acids, including glycated amino acids, were improved. These derivatized amino acids could be detected with high sensitivity using LC-MS/MS. In this study, 1-deoxyfructosyl-VHLTPE and VHLTPE, which are N-terminal peptides of the ß-chains of hemoglobin, were selected as target compounds. After reducing the peptide sample solution with sodium borohydride, the obtained peptides were hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid. The released amino acids were then derivatized with 1-bromobutane and analyzed with LC-MS/MS. The derivatized amino acids, including glycated amino acids, could be separated using an octadecyl silylated silica column and good sharp peaks were detected. We show a confirmatory experiment that the proposed method can be applied to evaluate the degree of glycation of peptides, using mixtures of glycated and non-glycated peptide.

Hydrazide and hydrazine reagents as reactive matrices for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry to detect steroids with carbonyl groups.

Fifty-one reagents (37 hydrazides and 14 hydrazines) were examined to determine if they could function as reactive matrices for the detection of steroids with carbonyl groups in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Among these reagents, 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydrazide reacted most efficiently with steroids with carbonyl groups, allowing detection of them at the 1pmol level. Results from accurate mass measurement with a JMS-S3000 Spiral-TOF suggested that the ion peaks corresponding to the protonated fragment of a hydrazone were observed, in addition to the protonated molecular peaks of the resulting hydrazones ([M(D)+H](+)) and their sodium adduct ([M(D)+Na](+)). 3-Hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydrazide also could detect cortisol (1.93ng) spiked in a human serum certified reference material, as well as cortisone and cortisol in a human saliva sample collected in the morning. Using a combination of 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydrazide and α- cyano-4-hydroxycinammic acid (CHCA) (3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydrazide:CHCA=4:1, v/v), even cortisone and cortisol in a human saliva sample collected in the afternoon, when levels are typically low, could be detected effectively.

A novel amino acid analysis method using derivatization of multiple functional groups followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

We have developed a novel amino acid analysis method using derivatization of multiple functional groups (amino, carboxyl, and phenolic hydroxyl groups). The amino, carboxyl, and phenolic hydroxyl groups of the amino acids were derivatized with 1-bromobutane so that the hydrophobicities and basicities of the amino acids were improved. The derivatized amino acids, including amino group-modified amino acids, could be detected with high sensitivity using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In this study, 17 amino acids obtained by hydrolyzing proteins and 4 amino group-modified amino acids found in the human body (N,N-dimethylglycine, N-formyl-L-methionine, L-pyroglutamic acid, and sarcosine) were selected as target compounds. The 21 derivatized amino acids could be separated using an octadecyl-silylated silica column within 20 min and simultaneously detected. The detection limits for the 21 amino acids were 5.4-91 fmol, and the calibration curves were linear over the range of 10-100 nmol L(-1) (r(2) > 0.9984) with good repeatability. A confirmatory experiment showed that our proposed method could be applied to the determination of a protein certified reference material using the analysis of 12 amino acids combined with isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the proposed method was successfully applied to a stable isotope-coded derivatization method using 1-bromobutane and 1-bromobutane-4,4,4-d3 for comparative analysis of amino acids in human serum.

Development of C-reactive protein certified reference material NMIJ CRM 6201-b: optimization of a hydrolysis process to improve the accuracy of amino acid analysis.

To standardize C-reactive protein (CRP) assays, the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) has developed a C-reactive protein solution certified reference material, CRM 6201-b, which is intended for use as a primary reference material to enable the SI-traceable measurement of CRP. This study describes the development process of CRM 6201-b. As a candidate material of the CRM, recombinant human CRP solution was selected because of its higher purity and homogeneity than the purified material from human serum. Gel filtration chromatography was used to examine the homogeneity and stability of the present CRM. The total protein concentration of CRP in the present CRM was determined by amino acid analysis coupled to isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS-AAA). To improve the accuracy of IDMS-AAA, we optimized the hydrolysis process by examining the effect of parameters such as the volume of protein samples taken for hydrolysis, the procedure of sample preparation prior to the hydrolysis, hydrolysis temperature, and hydrolysis time. Under optimized conditions, we conducted two independent approaches in which the following independent hydrolysis and liquid chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry (LC-IDMS) were combined: one was vapor-phase acid hydrolysis (130 °C, 24 h) and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS) method, and the other was microwave-assisted liquid-phase acid hydrolysis (150 °C, 3 h) and pre-column derivatization liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The quantitative values of the two different amino acid analyses were in agreement within their uncertainties. The certified value was the weighted mean of the results of the two methods. Uncertainties from the value-assignment method, between-method variance, homogeneity, long-term stability, and short-term stability were taken into account in evaluating the uncertainty for a certified value. The certified value and the expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of CRM 6201-b are (40.0 ± 1.6) µmol kg(-1).

Development and co-validation of porcine insulin certified reference material by high-performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry.

This article concerns the development and co-validation of a porcine insulin (pINS) certified reference material (CRM) produced by the National Institute of Metrology, People's Republic of China. Each CRM unit contained about 15 mg of purified solid pINS. The moisture content, amount of ignition residue, molecular mass, and purity of the pINS were measured. Both high-performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry and a purity deduction method were used to determine the mass fraction of the pINS. Fifteen units were selected to study the between-bottle homogeneity, and no inhomogeneity was observed. A stability study concluded that the CRM was stable for at least 12 months at -20 °C. The certified value of the CRM was (0.892 ± 0.036) g/g. A co-validation of the CRM was performed among Chinese, Japanese, and Korean laboratories under the framework of the Asian Collaboration on Reference Materials. The co-validation results agreed well with the certified value of the CRM. Consequently, the pINS CRM may be used as a calibration material or as a validation standard for pharmaceutical purposes to improve the quality of pharmaceutical products.

Hydrazide and hydrazine reagents as reactive matrices for MALDI-MS to detect gaseous aldehydes.

The reagents 19 hydrazide and 14 hydrazine were examined to function as reactive matrices for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) to detect gaseous aldehydes. Among them, two hydrazide (2-hydroxybenzohydrazide and 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydrazide) and two hydrazine reagents [2-hydrazinoquinoline and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH)] were found to react efficiently with carbonyl groups of gaseous aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde); these are the main factors for sick building syndrome and operate as reactive matrices for MALDI-MS. Results from accurate mass measurements by JMS-S3000 Spiral-TOF suggested that protonated ion peaks corresponding to [M + H](+) from the resulting derivatives were observed in all cases with the gaseous aldehydes in an incubation, time-dependent manner. The two hydrazide and two hydrazine reagents all possessed absorbances at 337 nm (wavelength of MALDI nitrogen laser), with, significant electrical conductivity of the matrix crystal and functional groups, such as hydroxy group and amino group, being important for desorption/ionization efficiency in MALDI-MS. To our knowledge, this is the first report that gaseous molecules could be derivatized and detected directly in a single step by MALDI-MS using novel reactive matrices that were derivatizing agents with the ability to enhance desorption/ionization efficiency.

Quantification of serum C-peptide by isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: enhanced detection using chemical modification and immunoaffinity purification.

A method was developed to quantify human serum C-peptide by isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (ID MS). This new approach used immunoaffinity purification and chemical modification to improve the sensitivity which covered the wide range of reference interval of serum C-peptide. The immunoaffinity purification was performed using monoclonal antibody against human C-peptide that was immobilized on magnetic beads, and the purified C-peptide was chemically modified using 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC) prior to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). With this method, the LC-MS/MS peak area increased 23-fold compared with the conventional purification by solid-phase extraction and without chemical modification. The limit of quantification was estimated to be 0.003ng on column, which was lower than previously reported. The validation study showed that (1) the response in the 0.003-2.9ng range on column was linear (regression coefficient, r(2)=0.9994), (2) the relative standard deviation (RSD) within and between days was inferior to 4.0%, and (3) the spike and recovery test showed the mean recoveries ranging between 99% and 108%. Comparison with an established commercial immunoassay showed high correlation (r(2)=0.9994) at serum concentration of 0.19-8.49ng/mL. These assessments suggest that this ID MS-based approach can quantify human serum C-peptide with high sensitivity and precision in the reference interval and find a potential use in the reference measurement procedure of serum C-peptide, allowing traceable measurement. This method may also generally be applied to peptide quantification in biological fluids with high sensitivity.

Winners of CASMI2013: Automated Tools and Challenge Data.

CASMI (Critical Assessment of Small Molecule Identification) is a contest in which participants identify the molecular formula and chemical structure of challenging molecules using blind mass spectra as the challenge data. Seven research teams participated in CASMI2013. The winner of CASMI2013 was the team of Andrew Newsome and Dejan Nikolic, the University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, USA. The team identified 15 among 16 challenge molecules by manually interpreting the challenge data and by searching in-house and public mass spectral databases, and chemical substance and literature databases. MAGMa was selected as the best automated tool of CASMI2013. In some challenges, most of the automated tools successfully identified the challenge molecules, independent of the compound class and magnitude of the molecular mass. In these challenge data, all of the isotope peaks and the product ions essential for the identification were observed within the expected mass accuracy. In the other challenges, most of the automated tools failed, or identified solution candidates together with many false-positive candidates. We then analyzed these challenge data based on the quality of the mass spectra, the dissociation mechanisms, and the compound class and elemental composition of the challenge molecules.

Development of SI-traceable C-peptide certified reference material NMIJ CRM 6901-a using isotope-dilution mass spectrometry-based amino acid analyses.

A certified reference material (CRM) is a higher-order calibration material used to enable a traceable analysis. This paper describes the development of a C-peptide CRM (NMIJ CRM 6901-a) by the National Metrology Institute of Japan using two independent methods for amino acid analysis based on isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. C-peptide is a 31-mer peptide that is utilized for the evaluation of ß-cell function in the pancreas in clinical testing. This CRM is a lyophilized synthetic peptide having the human C-peptide sequence, and contains deamidated and pyroglutamylated forms of C-peptide. By adding water (1.00 ± 0.01) g into the vial containing the CRM, the C-peptide solution in 10 mM phosphate buffer saline (pH 6.6) is reconstituted. We assigned two certified values that represent the concentrations of total C-peptide (mixture of C-peptide, deamidated C-peptide, and pyroglutamylated C-peptide) and C-peptide. The certified concentration of total C-peptide was determined by two amino acid analyses using pre-column derivatization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and hydrophilic chromatography-mass spectrometry following acid hydrolysis. The certified concentration of C-peptide was determined by multiplying the concentration of total C-peptide by the ratio of the relative area of C-peptide to that of the total C-peptide measured by liquid chromatography. The certified value of C-peptide (80.7 ± 5.0) mg/L represents the concentration of the specific entity of C-peptide; on the other hand, the certified value of total C-peptide, (81.7 ± 5.1) mg/L can be used for analyses that does not differentiate deamidated and pyroglutamylated C-peptide from C-peptide itself, such as amino acid analyses and immunochemical assays.