title: Fourier-transform mass spectrometry of large molecules by electrospray ionization.
abstract: The multiply charged ions produced by electrospray ionization of peptides of molecular masses up to 29 kDa have been successfully introduced into a Fourier transform mass spectrometer of unique capabilities for tandem mass spectrometry, large ion dissociation, and resolution. Electrospray ionization places an unusually high number of charges on a peptide yielding mass/charge (m/z) values of 600-1500; in this range at normal operating pressures (approximately 10(-9) torr; 1 torr = 133.3 Pa) Fourier-transform mass spectrometry resolving power is greater than 100,000. Although only 10(-7) torr pressure has been obtained with the initial interface, the resulting resolving power of 5000 makes possible the resolution of isotopic peaks of multiply charged ions. Mass measuring accuracies of a few daltons for molecular masses up to 17 kDa have also been achieved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: McLafferty
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shabanowitz
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Hunt
mesh_terms: D004798:Enzymes; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins