title: High-accuracy molecular mass determination of proteins using matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry.
abstract: A method for obtaining protein molecular masses with an accuracy of approximately +/- 0.01% by matrix-assisted laser desorption using an internal calibrant is described. The technique allows accurate mass determinations of protein sample sizes as small as 1 pmol. High concentrations of organic and inorganic contaminants (e.g. 1 M urea) do not strongly affect either the signal intensity or the mass assignment. The ability to assign an accurate molecular mass to a protein is contingent on the observation of clearly resolved protonated molecule ions in the mass spectrum.
authors.affiliation: Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Beavis
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Chait
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D006736:Horses; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins