ABSTRACT
Ab initio self-consistent field potential energy surfaces for the approach of T, T2, T+, T3+ and HeT+ to glycine in the gas phase have been determined and this data used to obtain insight into mechanisms of experimental ion-beam protein tritiation processes. Results of these calculations show that the ionic species T+, T3+ and HeT+ can form stable adducts with glycine (Gly) and that each functions as a tritiation agent forming the complex GlyT+. Neutral T and T2 experience a purely repulsive interaction with Gly and do not form an intermediate complex. These neutral species are expected to be less effective tritiation agents than the respective ions, in agreement with experimental observations. The fate of the stable GlyT+ complex is discussed and it is proposed that this species is neutralized by electron capture to give GlyT which spontaneously dissociates to either Gly+T or tritiated glycine (Gly*)+H, with the latter reaction product channel favored statistically. The most likely site of exchange is predicted to be at the amine nitrogen although significance exchange is expected to occur at the alpha-carbon site by a somewhat more complex reaction mechanism.
Subject(s)
Proteins , Tritium , Glycine , Isotope Labeling/methods , ThermodynamicsABSTRACT
A general method for tritiating proteins, peptides, and other nonvolatile organic compounds has been developed. A carefully controlled particle beam composed of T3+ and T2+ ions and fast T2 molecules is accelerated into a sample target within a vacuum chamber. This beam method has been used to tritiate ribonuclease A, porcine pancreatic elastase, thermolysin, soybean trypsin inhibitor, alpha 1-protease inhibitor, and the peptide aldehydes leupeptin and antipain. After removal of all readily exchangeable tritium, the products were obtained in 32-83% yields with specific radioactivities of 18-856 Ci/mol. The products were carefully characterized, shown to be chemically pure, and to have complete biological activity. Simple tritium hydrogen exchange accounts for at least 82% of the reaction pathway with proteins and for 100% of the reaction with the peptide aldehydes. The ion beam method is a mild procedure for general tritium labeling of fragile protein macromolecules and other sensitive biological molecules.
Subject(s)
Peptides , Proteins , Tritium , Isotope Labeling/instrumentation , Isotope Labeling/methods , Thermolysin , TrypsinABSTRACT
Nine coded duplicate strains of capsular nontypable Klebsiella pneumoniae were analyzed by pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. All duplicate strains were correctly matched, and individual strains, including seven nontypable strains, were clearly distinguishable from one another. The addition of mass spectrometry to the analysis has aided the process of identification and has provided chemical structural information on K. pneumoniae strains. Application of this technique to the identification of some disease outbreaks or nosocomial problems could be of epidemiological importance, especially when conventional methods do not identify the epidemic strain.
Subject(s)
Klebsiella pneumoniae/classification , Flame Ionization , Klebsiella pneumoniae/analysis , Mass SpectrometryABSTRACT
Differentiation of normal human cells has been accomplished by pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Normal cells from human kidney, spleen, liver and brain tissues have been pyrolyzed and the products chromatographically separated and characterized by mass spectrometry. Molecular pyrolysis products giving rise to the characteristic pyro-mass chromatograms include, but are not limited to, alkenes, alkanes, nitriles and various ring compounds. Single ion mass chromatograms as well as multiple ion mass chromatograms have been used to explore the characteristic differences between various tissue materials. A dynamic computer methodology for comparing pyro-mass chromatograms has been developed for use in automatic identification and classification of the human cellular material.
