Ascorbylation of a Reactive Cysteine in the Major Apple Allergen Mal d 1.

The protein Mal d 1 is responsible for most allergic reactions to apples (Malus domestica) in the northern hemisphere. Mal d 1 contains a cysteine residue on its surface, with its reactive side chain thiol exposed to the surrounding food matrix. We show that, in vitro, this cysteine residue is prone to spontaneous chemical modification by ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, we characterize the chemical structure of the cysteine adduct and provide a three-dimensional structural model of the modified apple allergen. The S-ascorbylated cysteine partially masks a major IgE antibody binding site on the surface of Mal d 1, which attenuates IgE binding in sera of apple-allergic patients. Our results illustrate, from a structural perspective, the role that chemical modifications of allergens with components of the natural food matrix can play.

A 3-in-1 Hand-Held Ambient Mass Spectrometry Interface for Identification and 2D Localization of Chemicals on Surfaces.

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), easy ambient sonic-spray ionization (EASI) and low-temperature plasma (LTP) ionization are powerful ambient ionization techniques for mass spectrometry. However, every single method has its limitation in terms of polarity and molecular weight of analyte molecules. After the miniaturization of every possible component of the different ion sources, we finally were able to embed two emitters and an ion transfer tubing into a small, hand-held device. The pen-like interface is connected to the mass spectrometer and a separate control unit via a bundle of flexible tubing and cables. The novel device allows the user to ionize an extended range of chemicals by simple switching between DESI, voltage-free EASI, or LTP ionization as well as to freely move the interface over a surface of interest. A mini camera, which is mounted on the tip of the pen, magnifies the desorption area and enables a simple positioning of the pen. The interface was successfully tested using different types of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and real life samples. Moreover, the combination of optical data from the camera module and chemical data obtained by mass analysis facilitates a novel type of imaging mass spectrometry, which we name "interactive mass spectrometry imaging (IMSI)".

Synthesis of Vicinal Quaternary All-Carbon Centers via Acid-catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Neopentylic Epoxides.

We report our studies on the development of a catalytic cycloisomerization of 2,2-disubstituted neopentylic epoxides to produce highly substituted tetralins and chromanes. Termination of the sequence occurs via Friedel-Crafts-type alkylation of the remote (hetero)arene linker. The transformation is efficiently promoted by sulfuric acid and proceeds best in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as the solvent. Variation of the substitution pattern provided detailed insights into the migration tendencies and revealed a competing disproportionation pathway of dihydronaphthalenes.

Improved matrix coating for positive- and negative-ion-mode MALDI-TOF imaging of lipids in blood vessel tissues.

High-quality matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) of lipids in biological tissue relies on the fabrication of a homogeneous matrix coating featuring best possible analyte integration. This communication addresses a matrix vapor deposition/recrystallization process for the application of 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (1,5-DAN) onto slices of human aortic tissue. The matrix coating is compatible with both positive- as well as negative-ion-mode MALDI MSI facilitating a significantly enhanced detection of lipid-related signals in different cell layers of blood vessel walls. Graphical abstract.