title: Analysis of oligonucleotides by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
abstract: Because of the high molecular weights and thermal lability of biomolecules such as nucleic acids and protein, they can be difficult to analyze by mass spectrometry. Such analyses require a "soft" ionization method that is capable of generating intact molecular ions. In addition, most mass analyzers have a limited upper mass range that is not sufficient for studying these large molecules. ESI-MS can be used to analyze molecules with a molecular weight that is larger than the mass-to-charge ratio limit of the analyzer. This unit describes how ESI allows for analysis of high-molecular-weight compounds through the generation of multiply charged ions in the gas phase. It discusses analyzer configurations, solvent selection, and gives protocols for sample preparation. For applications of ESI-MS, the unit discusses molecular weight determination and gives protocols for sequencing and for analyzing oligonucleotide modifications.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Polo
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Limbach
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000737:chemistry; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D005092:Exonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009705:Nucleosides / Q000378:metabolism; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012313:RNA / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D006163:Ribonuclease T1 / Q000378:metabolism; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D002614:Chelating Agents; D009705:Nucleosides; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D012313:RNA; D005092:Exonucleases; D006163:Ribonuclease T1; C018824:ammonium acetate