Superimposition and
Analysis of ESI Tandem Mass Spectra
WANG Xian-Chun, LIANG Song-Ping*
( College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081,
China )
Abstract Methionine
enkephalin and four synthetic peptides (a heptapeptide and its modified form, a
decapeptide and an icosapeptide) were fragmented using ESI tandem mass
spectrometry with certain varying instrumental parameters, such as amplitude of
excitation, to produce a series of MS/MS spectra. Using the Bruker DataAnalysis
software, some complementary MS/MS spectra were chosen to form a superimposed
MS/MS spectrum with consecutive triplets (as well as a few doublets)consisting
of product ions AnBnCn or XnYnZn.
The amino acid sequences of the peptides were easily and accurately determined
from the superimposed MS/MS spectrum, suggesting that the method is easy and
suitable for peptide sequencing by tandem mass spectrometry.
Key words tandem mass spectrometry; sequencing; spectrum superimposition; peptide
*Corresponding author: Tel, 86-731-8872556; Fax, 86-731-8861304; e-mail, [email protected]
