Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry of biphenyl-modified oligo(deoxy)ribonucleotides

Effect of oligonucleotide structural difference on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization in-source decay in comparison with collision-induced dissociation fragmentation

RATIONALE

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an effective tool for the structural analysis of oligonucleotides. Currently, various modifications of oligonucleotides have been proposed to increase the efficacy and safety of oligonucleotide therapeutics. For MS-based structural characterization, the fragmentation behavior of modified oligonucleotides by MS must first be determined.

METHODS

The impact of the oligonucleotide structure on the in-source decay (ISD) of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) was examined using a new matrix and compared with collision-induced dissociation (CID) fragmentation behavior.

RESULTS

When a part of the oligonucleotide structure was replaced, an impact was observed at the 3' side of the replaced structure. Among the oligonucleotide components considered herein, nucleobases most significantly impacted both ISD and CID fragmentation patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with CID, ISD was less sensitive to structural differences. Because ISD fragmentation was less affected by various oligonucleotide modifications, MALDI is a useful and applicable method for the structural characterization or identification of various modified oligonucleotide therapeutics.

Label-free, direct localization and relative quantitation of the RNA nucleobase methylations m6A, m5C, m3U, and m5U by top-down mass spectrometry

Nucleobase methylations are ubiquitous posttranscriptional modifications of ribonucleic acids (RNA) that can substantially increase the structural diversity of RNA in a highly dynamic fashion with implications for gene expression and human disease. However, high throughput, deep sequencing does not generally provide information on posttranscriptional modifications (PTMs). A promising alternative approach for the characterization of PTMs, i.e. their identification, localization, and relative quantitation, is top-down mass spectrometry (MS). In this study, we have investigated how specific nucleobase methylations affect RNA ionization in electrospray ionization (ESI), and backbone cleavage in collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) and electron detachment dissociation (EDD). For this purpose, we have developed two new approaches for the characterization of RNA methylations in mixtures of either isomers of RNA or nonisomeric RNA forms. Fragment ions from dissociation experiments were analyzed to identify the modification type, to localize the modification sites, and to reveal the site-specific, relative extent of modification for each site.

Characterization of nucleic acids by tandem mass spectrometry - The second decade (2004-2013): From DNA to RNA and modified sequences

Nucleic acids play key roles in the storage and processing of genetic information, as well as in the regulation of cellular processes. Consequently, they represent attractive targets for drugs against gene-related diseases. On the other hand, synthetic oligonucleotide analogues have found application as chemotherapeutic agents targeting cellular DNA and RNA. The development of effective nucleic acid-based chemotherapeutic strategies requires adequate analytical techniques capable of providing detailed information about the nucleotide sequences, the presence of structural modifications, the formation of higher-order structures, as well as the interaction of nucleic acids with other cellular components and chemotherapeutic agents. Due to the impressive technical and methodological developments of the past years, tandem mass spectrometry has evolved to one of the most powerful tools supporting research related to nucleic acids. This review covers the literature of the past decade devoted to the tandem mass spectrometric investigation of nucleic acids, with the main focus on the fundamental mechanistic aspects governing the gas-phase dissociation of DNA, RNA, modified oligonucleotide analogues, and their adducts with metal ions. Additionally, recent findings on the elucidation of nucleic acid higher-order structures by tandem mass spectrometry are reviewed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 35:483-523, 2016.

Binding of an organo-osmium(II) anticancer complex to guanine and cytosine on DNA revealed by electron-based dissociations in high resolution Top-Down FT-ICR mass spectrometry

The Os(II) arene anticancer complex [(η(6)-bip)Os(en)Cl](+) (Os1-Cl; where bip = biphenyl, and en = ethylenediamine) binds strongly to DNA. Here we investigate reactions between Os1-Cl and the self-complementary 12-mer oligonucleotide 5'-TAGTAATTACTA-3' (DNA12) using ultra high resolution Fourier Transform-Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). Identification of the specific sites of DNA osmiation with {(η(6)-bip)Os(en)}(2+) was made possible by the use of Electron Detachment Dissociation (EDD) which produced a wide range of assignable osmiated MS/MS fragments. In contrast, the more commonly used CAD and IRMPD techniques produced fragments which lose the bound osmium. These studies reveal that not only is guanine G3 a strong binding site for {(η(6)-bip)Os(en)}(2+) but, unexpectedly, so too is cytosine C10. Interestingly, the G3/C10 di-osmiated adduct of DNA12 also formed readily but did not undergo such facile fragmentation by EDD, perhaps due to folding induced by van der Waal's interactions of the bound osmium arene species. These new insights into osmium arene DNA adducts should prove valuable for the design of new organometallic drugs and contribute to understanding the lack of cross resistance of this organometallic anticancer complex with cisplatin.

On the mechanism of RNA phosphodiester backbone cleavage in the absence of solvent

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) modifications play an important role in the regulation of gene expression and the development of RNA-based therapeutics, but their identification, localization and relative quantitation by conventional biochemical methods can be quite challenging. As a promising alternative, mass spectrometry (MS) based approaches that involve RNA dissociation in ‘top-down’ strategies are currently being developed. For this purpose, it is essential to understand the dissociation mechanisms of unmodified and posttranscriptionally or synthetically modified RNA. Here, we have studied the effect of select nucleobase, ribose and backbone modifications on phosphodiester bond cleavage in collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) of positively and negatively charged RNA. We found that CAD of RNA is a stepwise reaction that is facilitated by, but does not require, the presence of positive charge. Preferred backbone cleavage next to adenosine and guanosine in CAD of (M+nH)ⁿ⁺ and (M−nH)ⁿ⁻ ions, respectively, is based on hydrogen bonding between nucleobase and phosphodiester moieties. Moreover, CAD of RNA involves an intermediate that is sufficiently stable to survive extension of the RNA structure and intramolecular proton redistribution according to simple Coulombic repulsion prior to backbone cleavage into c and y ions from phosphodiester bond cleavage.

More than charged base loss--revisiting the fragmentation of highly charged oligonucleotides

Tandem mass spectrometry is a well-established analytical tool for rapid and reliable characterization of oligonucleotides (ONs) and their gas-phase dissociation channels. The fragmentation mechanisms of native and modified nucleic acids upon different mass spectrometric activation techniques have been studied extensively, resulting in a comprehensive catalogue of backbone fragments. In this study, the fragmentation behavior of highly charged oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) comprising up to 15 nucleobases was investigated. It was found that ODNs exhibiting a charge level (ratio of the actual to the total possible charge) of 100% follow significantly altered dissociation pathways compared with low or medium charge levels if a terminal pyrimidine base (3' or 5') is present. The corresponding product ion spectra gave evidence for the extensive loss of a cyanate anion (NCO(-)), which frequently coincided with the abstraction of water from the 3'- and 5'-end in the presence of a 3'- and 5'-terminal pyrimidine nucleobase, respectively. Subsequent fragmentation of the M-NCO(-) ion by MS(3) revealed a so far unreported consecutive excision of a metaphosphate (PO3 (-))-ion for the investigated sequences. Introduction of a phosphorothioate group allowed pinpointing of PO3 (-) loss to the ultimate phosphate group. Several dissociation mechanisms for the release of NCO(-) and a metaphosphate ion were proposed and the validity of each mechanism was evaluated by the analysis of backbone- or sugar-modified ONs.

Identification, localization, and relative quantitation of pseudouridine in RNA by tandem mass spectrometry of hydrolysis products

The constitutional isomers uridine (U) and pseudouridine (Ψ) cannot be distinguished from each other by simple mass measurements of RNA or its fragments because the conversion of U into Ψ is a "mass-silent" post-transcriptional modification. Here we propose a new mass spectrometry based method for identification, localization, and relative quantitation of Ψ in RNA consisting of ∼20 nucleotides that does not require chemical labeling. Our approach takes advantage of the different fragmentation behavior of uridine (N-glycosidic bond) and pseudouridine (C-glycosidic bond) residues in RNA upon collisionally activated dissociation.

Tandem mass spectrometry of modified and platinated oligoribonucleotides

Therapeutic approaches for treatment of various diseases aim at the interruption of transcription or translation. Modified oligonucleotides, such as 2'-O-methyl- and methylphosphonate-derivatives, exhibit high resistance against cellular nucleases, thus rendering application for, e.g., antigene or antisense purposes possible. Other approaches are based on administration of cross-linking agents, such as cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin, DDP), which is still the most widely used anticancer drug worldwide. Due to the formation of 1,2-intrastrand cross links at adjacent guanines, replication of the double-strand is disturbed, thus resulting in significant cytotoxicity. Evidence for the gas-phase dissociation mechanism of platinated RNA is given, based on nano-electrospray ionization high-resolution multistage tandem mass spectrometry (MS(n)). Confirmation was found by investigating the fragmentation pattern of platinated and unplatinated 2'-methoxy oligoribonucleotide hexamers and their corresponding methylphosphonate derivatives. Platinated 2'-methoxy oligoribonucleotides exhibit a similar gas-phase dissociation behavior as the corresponding DNA and RNA sequences, with the 3'-C-O bond adjacent to the vicinal guanines being cleaved preferentially, leading to w(x)-ion formation. By examination of the corresponding platinated methylphosphonate derivatives of the 2'-methoxy oligoribonucleotides, the key role of the negatively charged phosphate oxygen atoms in direct proximity to the guanines was proven. The significant alteration of fragmentation due to platination is demonstrated by comparison of the fragment ion patterns of unplatinated and platinated 2'-O-methyl- and 2'-O-methyl methylphosphonate oligoribonucleotides, and the results obtained by H/D exchange experiments.

Minimizing base loss and internal fragmentation in collisionally activated dissociation of multiply deprotonated RNA

In recent years, new classes of nonprotein-coding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs) with important cellular functions have been discovered. Of particular interest for biomolecular research and pharmaceutical developments are small ncRNAs that are involved in gene regulation, such as small interfering RNAs (21-28 nt), pre-microRNAs (70-80 nt), or riboswitches (34-200 nt). De novo sequencing of RNA by top-down mass spectrometry has so far been limited to RNA consisting of up to approximately 20 nt. We report here complete sequence coverage for 34 nt RNA (10.9 kDa), along with 30 out of 32 possible complementary ion pairs from collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) experiments. The key to minimizing undesired base loss and internal fragmentation is to minimize the internal energy of fragment ions from primary backbone cleavage. This can be achieved by collisional cooling of primary fragment ions and selection of precursor ions of relatively low negative net charge (about -0.2/nt).

Identification of Novel Metabolic Proteins Released by Insulin Signaling of the Rat Hypothalmus Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)

OBJECTIVE

The brain is dependent on glucose as an energy source. Intricate homeostatic mechanisms have been implicated in maintaining the blood glucose concentration in the brain. The aim of this study is to find the way to identify the metabolic proteins regulating the glucose in rat hypothalamus.

METHODS

In this study, we analysed the secretome from rat hypothalamus in vivo. We introduced 500 nM of insulin into the rat hypothalamus. The chromatographic patterns of the secretome were identified, after which Mass Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry (MS-MS) analysis was performed.

RESULTS

In Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, 60 proteins were identified in the secretome. Among them, 8 novel proteins were unveiled and were associated with the energy metabolism of insulin signaling in mitochondria of rat hypothalamic neuron. Nineteen other proteins have unknown functions. These ligands were confirmed to be secreting from the rat hypothalmus on insulin signaling by western blotting.

CONCLUSION

The hypothalamus is the master endocrine gland responsible for the regulation of various physiological and metabolic processes. Proteomics using LC-MS analysis offer a efficient means for generating a comprehensive analysis of hypothalamic protein expression by insulin signaling.

Mass spectrometry of oligonucleotides

Expanding research in the field of modified oligonucleotides demands suitable analytical tools for size and purity verification of known compounds and accurate structure elucidation of unknowns. There is a need for characterization of the types and sites of modifications in oligonucleotides and to identify and sequence selected candidates originating from synthesis. The potential of electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) for structural characterization and sequencing of oligonucleotides is demonstrated. The fundamental behavior of DNA, RNA, and selected modified oligonucleotides in gas-phase is shown. Since gas-phase dissociation does not demand specific structural prerequisites, the method bears a great potential for rapid and most accurate characterization of modified oligonucleotides, e.g. from combinatorial libraries.