Fragmentation of peptide negative molecular ions induced by resonance electron capture

Abstract

A simple robust method to study resonance gas-phase reactions between neutral peptides of low volatility and free electrons has been designed and implemented. Resonance electron capture (REC) experiments were performed by several neutral model peptides and two naturally occurring peptides. The assignment of negative ions (NIs) formed in these gas-phase reactions was based on high mass-resolving power experiments. From these accurate mass measurements, it was concluded that fragment NIs formed by low (1–2 eV) energy REC are of the same types as those observed in electron capture/transfer dissociation, where the positive charge is a factor. The main feature resulting from these REC experiments by peptides is the occurrence of z n − 1 ions, which are invariably of the highest abundances in the negative ion mass spectra of larger peptides. [ M – H ] − NIs presumably the carboxylate anion structure dominate the REC spectra of smaller peptides. There was no evidence for the occurrence of the complementary reaction, i.e., the formations of c n + 1 ions. Instead, c n ions arose without hydrogen/proton transfer albeit with lower abundances than that observed for z n − 1 ions. Only the amide forms of small peptides showed more abundant ion peaks for the c n ions than for the z n − 1 ions. The mechanisms for the N – C α bond cleavage are discussed.