Sulfoxide Reagent for Peptide Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometry (MS) methods for proteomics face challenges in sensitivity, particularly for low-abundance peptides and limited sample materials, due to low cleavage efficiency of available reagents, which reduces the number of reporter ions and leads to the formation of MS-invisible neutral species.
Innovation Solution
A novel sulfoxide-based reagent with two permanently charged units connected via a linker moiety containing an SO bridge, allowing for sensitive determination of peptides and accurate quantitative analysis through isotopically modified versions, enhancing cleavage efficiency and charge state retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional mass spectrometry reagents are used for peptide analysis, then the analysis can be performed, but the sensitivity is low and cleavage efficiency is poor, resulting in reduced number of reporter ions and formation of MS-invisible neutral species
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of the reagent by introducing a sulfoxide group (SO) and permanently charged units, changing the physical and chemical parameters of the reagent to achieve both high cleavage efficiency and excellent charge state retention, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The reagent combines multiple functional groups (sulfoxide, charged units, linker moiety) into a composite structure that simultaneously provides efficient cleavage and maintains charge states, enabling both high sensitivity and high productivity in MS analysis
2Quantity of substance
If reagents with low cleavage efficiency are used, then the analysis can proceed, but the number of reporter ions is reduced, decreasing quantitative analysis capability
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the chemical parameters of the reagent (introducing sulfoxide and charged groups), the patent achieves high cleavage efficiency that produces abundant reporter ions, thereby improving both the quantity of detectable ions and the accuracy of quantitative analysis
3Measurement precision
If conventional reagents are used, then the analysis can be performed, but MS-invisible neutral species are formed, reducing detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful formation of neutral species into a beneficial outcome by designing a reagent that maintains permanent charges after cleavage, ensuring that all fragments remain ionized and detectable by mass spectrometry, thereby eliminating the harm and improving detection sensitivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sulfoxide-based reagent significantly improves the sensitivity and accuracy of MS analysis, enabling precise quantification of peptides in complex mixtures by increasing the number of reporter and complementary ions, and avoiding neutral species formation during cleavage.
Implementation Method 1
covalently reacting the analyte molecule with a compound of formula (I), whereby a covalent adduct of the analyte molecule and the compound (I) is formed
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the adduct from step (a) to a mass spectrometric analysis
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention relates to sulfoxide-based reagents suitable in the mass spectrometric determination of analyte molecules such as peptides as well as adducts of such reagents and analyte molecules and applications of said reagents and adducts. Further, the present invention relates to methods for the mass spectrometric determination of analyte molecules.