1
Background The peptide precursor ions identified during the accurate mass determination were fragmented in the tandem mass spectrometer and the product (fragment) ions were subsequently mass analysed. The implemented low energy collision induced dissociation (CID) primarily produced y and b type ions. The data were processed using the Molecular Feature Extractor algorithm of MassHunter and matched with theoretical peptide fragment ions. The majority of y and b ions observed were within 10 ppm difference. There is currently growing interest in the therapeutic benefits of synthetic peptides. These molecules, like small molecule pharmaceuticals, require comprehensive characterization to unequivocally confirm the structure as per the USP guidelines. Full identity elucidation requires integration of orthogonal techniques to overcome the limitations associated with each technique. Presented is an example of the characterization protocol developed at Almac for synthetic peptides. This process confirms peptide sequence by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Tandem Mass Spectrometry, peptide molecular formula by accurate mass determination, chiral purity by pre-column derivatization of the peptide hydrolysates followed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection as well as ratio determination of each amino acid in the sequence. This characterization protocol goes beyond the requirements of the USP and gives confidence in the identification of synthetic peptides. The protocol has already been used for peptides containing up to 34 amino acids . A case study is presented herein. Peptide Sequencing by NMR Peptide Sequencing by LC-ESI-QTOF Figure 2: Isotopic distribution matching between actual spectrum (black line) and FBF calculated theoretical distribution (red boxes) and table of mass confirmation. The chiral purity of the amino acids in the peptide were determined by acid hydrolysis followed by amino acid separation. Racemisation was circumvented by hydrolysing peptides in DCI/ [D4] acetic acid (1:1). Amino acids were then derivatised with Marfey's reagent and analysed by LC-MS. This method allows the original chiral purity of each amino acid in a peptide to be determined using common achiral reversed-phase HPLC columns. Use of ESI prevented fragmentation during ionisation and allowed the protonated molecular ion to be monitored for each amino acid . Amino Acid Analysis Chirality Determination by HPLC-MS Conclusion The protocol for peptide characterization has been fully implemented by Almac has been used routinely to unequivocally confirm the structure of an number of peptides for our clients . ~25 mg of a 20-mer peptide was dissolved in DMSO-d 6 . Spectra were obtained using a Bruker Avance NMR spectrometer operating at 500 MHz running under TopSpin 2.1. The sample was run at 28 and 50°C in the presence and absence of TFA. 1 H and 13 C spectra were assigned using DEPT-135, HSQC, HMBC, ROESY and TOCSY experiments. Individual peaks were picked out in the HSQC (finger-printing) and their multiplicity determined with the aid of the DEPT-135 spectrum. The correct number and multiplicity of carbons and protons was also confirmed. COSY-DQF, Transverse-ROESY and HSQC-TOCSY data was to assign the protons to individual amino acid side chains and confirm they agreed with the expected residues. The ROESY and HMBC data was used to determine the relative positions and sequence of amino acids within the molecule Figure 1: Intra-residue NH-H a COSY correlations (green/blue). ROESY Inter-residue correlations (red) across the amide bonds from the a-H of residue n to the NH of the residue n+1 were used to confirm the correct peptide sequence . The accurate mass of the peptide was determined using an Agilent LC-QTOF to within 2ppm of theoretical. The Find By formula Algorithm of the MassHunter software was used to map the MS(1) data. It identified all major cluster ions and the algorithm confirmed the empirical formula . Accurate Mass Determination by LC-ESI-TOF Figure 3: Isotopic distribution matching between actual spectrum (black line) and FBF calculated theoretical distribution (red boxes). Amino acid analysis was carried out by acid, oxidative and alkaline hydrolysis. The individual amino acids were then analysed with HPLC-UV/FLU and/or Biochrom amino acid analysers using classical ion-exchange liquid chromatography with post-column Ninhydrin derivatisation and photometric detection. Li-Citrate as well as Na-Citrate buffer system elution was used to cover all the amino acids. The presence and correct number of amino acids in the peptide sequence were confirmed. Figure 4: Example of peptide precursor ion and corresponding product ions. ppm 7.45 7.50 7.55 7.60 7.65 7.70 7.75 7.80 7.85 7.90 7.95 8.00 8.05 8.10 8.15 8.20 8.25 8.30 ppm 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Best ID Source Formula Diff (ppm) TRUE FBF C79H133N23O27 -1.60 Product Ion m/z m/z (prod.) Diff (ppm) Sequence Z b6 3X7.1777 3X7.183 -13.3 R 1 GGR 2 GA 1 b10 78X.3853 78X.3791 7.8 R 1 GGR 2 GAGR 3 LQ 1 y5 5X2.3074 5X2.3089 -2.9 GSLR 6 K 1 y6 6X1.3497 6X1.3515 -2.8 R 5 GSLR 6 K 1 y7 7X4.431 7X4.4356 -5.9 LR 5 GSLR 6 K 1 y8 8X5.4695 8X5.4727 -3.8 ALR 5 GSLR 6 K 1 y10 105X.6084 105X.6095 -1.1 R 4 LALR 5 GSLR 6 K 1 y11 118X.6594 118X.6681 -7.4 QR 4 LALR 5 GSLR 6 K 1 b10-H2O 7X4.3609 7X4.3686 -10 R 1 GGR 2 GAGR 3 LQ 1 y11-NH3 1X66.648 1X66.6416 5.5 QR 3 LALR 4 GSLR 5 K 1 Precursor ion m/z (prec.) Number of charges Z (M+H)+ 1X36.9849 1 Figure 5: Labelled Hydrolysis. Figure 6: Marfey Reaction. Figure 7: Example representative L and D amino acid standard chromatograms. A summary of the results is given in the table below: R 1 G G R 2 G A G R 3 L Q R 4 L A L R 5 G S L R 6 K Sequence Confirmed by NMR Sequence confirmed by CID - Hybrid MS Chirality Confirmed by LC - MS X X X X X X X X X X Intensity, cps Intensity, cps L-Isoleucine L-Leucine D-Leucine D-Isoleucine L-Phenylalanine D- Phenylalanine 5 Dimensional Structural Characterization of Synthetic Peptides Dr Osama Chahrour, Dr John Malone, Diego Cobice, Dr Dan Fletcher, Dr Alan Thompson, and Cliodhna McGurgan Almac Sciences, 20 Seagoe Industrial Estate, Craigavon, Northern Ireland, BT63 5QD

5 Dimensional Structural Characterization of Synthetic Peptides

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Background

The peptide precursor ions identified during the accurate mass determination were

fragmented in the tandem mass spectrometer and the product (fragment) ions were

subsequently mass analysed. The implemented low energy collision induced dissociation

(CID) primarily produced y and b type ions. The data were processed using the Molecular

Feature Extractor algorithm of MassHunter and matched with theoretical peptide fragment

ions. The majority of y and b ions observed were within 10 ppm difference.

There is currently growing interest in the therapeutic benefits of synthetic peptides. These molecules, like small molecule pharmaceuticals, require comprehensive characterization to unequivocally

confirm the structure as per the USP guidelines. Full identity elucidation requires integration of orthogonal techniques to overcome the limitations associated with each technique. Presented is an

example of the characterization protocol developed at Almac for synthetic peptides. This process confirms peptide sequence by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Tandem Mass Spectrometry,

peptide molecular formula by accurate mass determination, chiral purity by pre-column derivatization of the peptide hydrolysates followed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection

as well as ratio determination of each amino acid in the sequence. This characterization protocol goes beyond the requirements of the USP and gives confidence in the identification of synthetic

peptides. The protocol has already been used for peptides containing up to 34 amino acids . A case study is presented herein.

Peptide Sequencing by NMR

Peptide Sequencing by LC-ESI-QTOF

Figure 2: Isotopic distribution matching between actual spectrum (black line) and FBF

calculated theoretical distribution (red boxes) and table of mass confirmation.

The chiral purity of the amino acids in the peptide were determined by acid hydrolysis

followed by amino acid separation. Racemisation was circumvented by hydrolysing

peptides in DCI/ [D4] acetic acid (1:1). Amino acids were then derivatised with Marfey's

reagent and analysed by LC-MS. This method allows the original chiral purity of each

amino acid in a peptide to be determined using common achiral reversed-phase HPLC

columns. Use of ESI prevented fragmentation during ionisation and allowed the

protonated molecular ion to be monitored for each amino acid

.

Amino Acid Analysis

Chirality Determination by HPLC-MS

Conclusion

The protocol for peptide characterization has been fully implemented by Almac has been

used routinely to unequivocally confirm the structure of an number of peptides for our

clients.

~25 mg of a 20-mer peptide was dissolved in DMSO-d6. Spectra were obtained using a

Bruker Avance NMR spectrometer operating at 500 MHz running under TopSpin 2.1. The

sample was run at 28 and 50°C in the presence and absence of TFA. 1H and 13C spectra

were assigned using DEPT-135, HSQC, HMBC, ROESY and TOCSY experiments.

Individual peaks were picked out in the HSQC (finger-printing) and their multiplicity

determined with the aid of the DEPT-135 spectrum. The correct number and multiplicity of

carbons and protons was also confirmed.

COSY-DQF, Transverse-ROESY and HSQC-TOCSY data was to assign the protons to

individual amino acid side chains and confirm they agreed with the expected residues. The

ROESY and HMBC data was used to determine the relative positions and sequence of

amino acids within the molecule

Figure 1: Intra-residue NH-Ha COSY correlations (green/blue). ROESY

Inter-residue correlations (red) across the amide bonds from the a-H of residue n to the NH

of the residue n+1 were used to confirm the correct peptide sequence .

The accurate mass of the peptide was determined using an Agilent LC-QTOF to within

2ppm of theoretical. The Find By formula Algorithm of the MassHunter software was used

to map the MS(1) data. It identified all major cluster ions and the algorithm confirmed theempirical formula

.

Accurate Mass Determination by LC-ESI-TOF

Figure 3: Isotopic distribution matching between actual spectrum (black line) and FBF

calculated theoretical distribution (red boxes).

Amino acid analysis was carried out by acid, oxidative and alkaline hydrolysis. The

individual amino acids were then analysed with HPLC-UV/FLU and/or Biochrom amino

acid analysers using classical ion-exchange liquid chromatography with post-column

Ninhydrin derivatisation and photometric detection. Li-Citrate as well as Na-Citrate

buffer system elution was used to cover all the amino acids. The presence and correct

number of amino acids in the peptide sequence were confirmed.

Figure 4: Example of peptide precursor ion and corresponding product ions.

ppm

7.457.507.557.607.657.707.757.807.857.907.958.008.058.108.158.208.258.30 ppm

3.7

3.8

3.9

4.0

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

Best ID Source Formula Diff (ppm)

TRUE FBF C79H133N23O27 -1.60

Product

Ionm/z m/z (prod.) Diff (ppm) Sequence Z

b6 3X7.1777 3X7.183 -13.3 R1GGR2GA 1

b10 78X.3853 78X.3791 7.8 R1GGR2GAGR3LQ 1

y5 5X2.3074 5X2.3089 -2.9 GSLR6K 1

y6 6X1.3497 6X1.3515 -2.8 R5GSLR6K 1

y7 7X4.431 7X4.4356 -5.9 LR5GSLR6K 1

y8 8X5.4695 8X5.4727 -3.8 ALR5GSLR6K 1

y10 105X.6084 105X.6095 -1.1 R4LALR5GSLR6K 1

y11 118X.6594 118X.6681 -7.4 QR4LALR5GSLR6K 1

b10-H2O 7X4.3609 7X4.3686 -10 R1GGR2GAGR3LQ 1

y11-NH3 1X66.648 1X66.6416 5.5 QR3LALR4GSLR5K 1

Precursor ion m/z (prec.) Number of charges Z

(M+H)+ 1X36.9849 1

Figure 5: Labelled Hydrolysis.

Figure 6: Marfey Reaction.

Figure 7: Example representative L and D amino acid standard chromatograms.

A summary of the results is given in the table below:

R1 G G R2 G A G R3 L Q R4 L A L R5 G S L R6 K

Sequence Confirmed by NMR

Sequence confirmed by CID-

Hybrid MS

Chirality Confirmed by LC-

MS

X

XX

X

X

X

X

X X

X

XIC of +Q1 MI (19 ions): 384.2 amu from Sample 4 (K 26MAY2014A0004) of K 26M... Max. 2.3e6 cps.

27.0 27.5 28.0 28.5 29.0 29.5 30.0 30.5 31.0 31.5 32.0 32.5 33.0

Time, min

0.0

2.0e5

4.0e5

6.0e5

8.0e5

1.0e6

1.2e6

1.4e6

1.6e6

1.8e6

2.0e6

2.2e6

2.3e6

Intensity, cps

28.65

29.16

31.72

31.40

Operator: Malone, John

Printing Time: 10:23:47

Tue, May 27, 2014

Acq. File: K 26MAY2014A.wiff

Batch Name: K 26MAY2014A.dab

Collected by:

\[email protected]

Acq. Time: 12:19

Acq. Date: Monday, May 26, 2014

*API 365_K Inst I.D. EU-00127

Page 1 of 1 *Almac Sciences Project No.

0641E0002C

XIC of +Q1 MI (19 ions): 418.2 amu from Sample 4 (K 26MAY2014A0004) of K 26M... Max. 3.3e6 cps.

27.0 27.5 28.0 28.5 29.0 29.5 30.0 30.5 31.0 31.5 32.0 32.5 33.0

Time, min

0.0

2.0e5

4.0e5

6.0e5

8.0e5

1.0e6

1.2e6

1.4e6

1.6e6

1.8e6

2.0e6

2.2e6

2.4e6

2.6e6

2.8e6

3.0e6

3.2e6

3.3e6

Inten sity, cps

28.87

30.87

Operator: Malone, John

Printing Time: 10:23:47

Tue, May 27, 2014

Acq. File: K 26MAY2014A.wiff

Batch Name: K 26MAY2014A.dab

Collected by:

\[email protected]

Acq. Time: 12:19

Acq. Date: Monday, May 26, 2014

*API 365_K Inst I.D. EU-00127

Page 1 of 1 *Almac Sciences Project No.

0641E0002C

L-Isoleucine

L-Leucine

D-Leucine D-Isoleucine

L-Phenylalanine

D- Phenylalanine

5 Dimensional Structural

Characterization of Synthetic PeptidesDr Osama Chahrour, Dr John Malone, Diego Cobice, Dr Dan Fletcher, Dr Alan Thompson,

and Cliodhna McGurgan

Almac Sciences, 20 Seagoe Industrial Estate, Craigavon, Northern Ireland, BT63 5QD