PNNL

Abstract

Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry (MS) remains the technique of choice for the analysis of intact proteins from complex biological systems, i.e. top-down proteomics. Recently, we have implemented a compensated open cylindrical ion trapping cell into a 12 T FT-ICR mass spectrometer. This new cell has previously demonstrated improved sensitivity, dynamic range, and mass measurement accuracy for the analysis of relatively small tryptic peptides. These improvements are due to the improved trapping potential of the cell which is significantly closer to the ideal harmonic trapping potential. Here we report the instrument optimization for the analysis of large macro-molecular ions, such as proteins. Also, presented are first principle theoretical considerations to account for different optimum conditions for the analysis of large macro-molecules. The proposed high energy ion loss mechanism is further supported by experimental results of bovine ubiquitin and serum albumin. We find that the analysis of large macro-molecules can be significantly improved by the further reduction of pressure in the ion trapping cell. This will reduce the impact of the high energy ion loss mechanism and enable increased sensitivity and mass measurement accuracy to be realized without compromising resolution. Further, these results appear to be applicable to FTMS in general, and the high energy ion loss mechanism applies to Orbitrap mass analyzers as well.