JP2011174887A - Sample preparation method for maldi-ms - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form a sample/matrix mixture having the uniformity and the high ionization durability on a sample plate. <P>SOLUTION: A CHCA_B as a liquid matrix and a sample liquid containing a material to be analyzed are dropped, and mixed on the sample plate 10. A droplet integration liquid contains a methanol or an acetonitrile, and is dropped on it. The sample/matrix mixture divided into a plurality of small droplets on the sample plate 10 can be integrated into one droplet. The material to be analyzed can be in a uniform state macroscopically. The high ionization durability can be achieved by using the liquid matrix as a matrix in comparison with a conventional method using a solid matrix. As a result from the above, the sufficient analysis accuracy can be achieved by a laser irradiation at several points only. An analysis time can be greatly reduced in a MALDI-MS. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample preparation method for preparing a sample to be analyzed by a mass spectrometer equipped with an ion source based on matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization (MALDI).

  In order to analyze a sample that is difficult to absorb laser light or a sample that is easily damaged by laser light, such as protein, MALDI is prepared by mixing a substance that easily absorbs laser light and that is easily ionized into a sample as a matrix. The sample is ionized by irradiating with laser light. According to MALDI, it is possible to analyze a polymer compound having a large molecular weight without cleaving so much, and it is also suitable for microanalysis. Therefore, in recent years, it has been widely used in fields such as life science. .

  Such a mass spectrometer (MALDI-MS apparatus) equipped with an ion source based on MALDI can perform analysis up to a high mass region where the molecular weight exceeds 10,000, which could not be measured by other mass spectrometers. Biomolecules such as proteins, peptides, etc. due to the fact that molecular weight distribution measurement and structural analysis can be performed simultaneously and in a short time, and analysis can be performed without cleaving a substance that is unstable to heat and easily decomposed. Widely used in the analysis of

  The matrix used for mass spectrometry includes a solid matrix that takes a solid state in a vacuum inside the MS apparatus and a liquid matrix that takes a liquid state. In analysis by MALDI-MS, a solid matrix is generally used. The solid matrix is added to the sample in the form of a matrix solution dissolved in a predetermined solvent.

  Here, an example of a method for preparing a sample for MALDI-MS using the solid matrix will be described in detail. A metal plate called a sample plate usually has a plurality of wells (regions on which droplets are placed). The analysis worker mixes in advance the sample solution containing the substance to be analyzed and the matrix solution described above, and drops them in the wells of the sample plate. Alternatively, the sample solution and the matrix solution are dropped into the wells of the sample plate, respectively, and both are mixed therein. After that, when the solvent contained in the sample solution or matrix solution is evaporated by applying dry air to the sample plate, the analyte in the sample solution is taken into the matrix in the process, and the sample and matrix are contained in the wells. Are formed.

  Conventionally, the sample preparation operation as described above has been generally performed manually by an analysis operator. Therefore, not only work efficiency is bad, but also mistakes related to work are likely to occur. In order to reduce the labor of such work, a special sample preparation device for preparing a sample for MALDI-MS has also been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a sample preparation device using preparative liquid chromatography. In this apparatus, a biological sample is temporally separated by a liquid chromatograph, and a sample solution eluted from the column of the liquid chromatograph is sequentially collected and dropped onto a sample plate together with a matrix solution prepared in advance. Yes.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-201828 Special Table 2005-536759 Publication ([0082])

  However, since the solid matrix generally has low ionization sustainability, when performing mass spectrometry, it is necessary to integrate the data by performing analysis while sequentially moving the laser irradiation position in the well. Further, since the solid matrix forms a heterogeneous sample / matrix mixed crystal on the sample plate, ionizable sites (sweet spots) are unevenly distributed in each well of the sample plate. Therefore, when performing mass spectrometry, it is necessary to search a sweet spot by moving a laser irradiation site.

  For the above reasons, the conventional MALDI-MS apparatus performs analysis by sequentially scanning 50 to 200 points per well by raster analysis. Raster analysis performs mass spectrometry while changing the laser irradiation position in the well by moving the stage on which the sample plate is placed in the MALDI-MS apparatus. In such raster analysis, the stage movement, stage stop, and laser irradiation are repeatedly executed. However, since the stage movement requires a certain time, there is a problem in that this becomes a rate-determining operation and the analysis time becomes long.

  On the other hand, since the liquid matrix has higher ionization sustainability than the solid matrix, in recent years, application of the liquid matrix to MALDI has attracted attention. For example, Patent Document 2 describes that a liquid matrix can be used in an analysis system (LC-MALDI-MS) using both preparative liquid chromatography and MALDI-MS. However, this document does not describe a specific method for applying the liquid matrix to LC-MALDI-MS.

  When the inventor dropped the liquid matrix and the sample liquid into the same well of the sample plate in the same manner as in the case of using a conventional solid matrix, the liquid droplets were sometimes finely dispersed in the well. At this time, when the droplet size is small with respect to the laser beam diameter, the sample / matrix mixture in the well of the sample plate becomes macroscopically nonuniform.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and the object of the present invention is MALDI-MS, which has a high ionization sustainability and can form a uniform sample / matrix mixture on a sample plate. It is to provide a sample preparation method.

A sample preparation method for MALDI-MS according to the present invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems is a method for preparing a sample for mass spectrometry by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization,
a) An organic salt formed from an acid and a base, wherein the acid is a benzene ring having an acidic group and the base is an amine, and a sample solution containing an analyte is dropped onto a sample plate. Steps,
b) dropping the liquid unifying liquid containing methanol or acetonitrile on the liquid matrix and the sample liquid dropped on the sample plate;
It is characterized by having.

  As the liquid for liquid droplet unification, a liquid containing methanol or acetonitrile at 60 v / v% or more is preferably used, and a liquid containing 75 v / v% or more is more preferably used. In addition, when a liquid having methanol or acetonitrile of less than 100 v / v% is used, the liquid is preferably an aqueous solution.

  According to the sample preparation method for MALDI-MS according to the present invention, a sample / matrix mixture dispersed in a plurality of small droplets in each well of a sample plate is dropped into one droplet by dropping the droplet unifying liquid. Can be summarized. Therefore, the substance to be analyzed can be macroscopically uniform in each well. Furthermore, according to the sample preparation method for MALDI-MS of the present invention, by using a liquid matrix as a matrix to be mixed with a sample solution, it is possible to achieve higher ionization sustainability than when a conventional solid matrix is used. it can.

  As described above, according to the sample preparation method for MALDI-MS according to the present invention, a sample / matrix mixture excellent in uniformity and ionization sustainability can be formed on a sample plate. It is not necessary to perform analysis, and sufficient analysis accuracy can be achieved by laser irradiation of only a few points. Therefore, stage movement during mass analysis can be minimized, and analysis time in MALDI-MS analysis can be greatly shortened.

The schematic diagram explaining the sample preparation method for MALDI-MS which concerns on this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the principal part structure of the automatic dripping apparatus which performs sample preparation by the method of this invention. The figure explaining the laser irradiation position in Examples 1, 2 and Comparative Examples 1, 2. It is a photograph which shows the sample / matrix mixture formed in the well of the sample plate, (a) is Example 1, (b) is Example 2, (c) is Comparative Example 1, and (d) is Comparative Example. 2 is shown. The figure which shows the graph showing the mass spectrum in each laser irradiation position of Example 1, and the relationship between the number of shots, and signal intensity. The figure which shows the graph showing the relationship between the mass spectrum in each laser irradiation position of Example 2, and the number of shots, and signal intensity. The figure which shows the graph showing the relationship between the mass spectrum in each laser irradiation position of the comparative example 1, and the number of shots, and signal intensity. The figure which shows the graph showing the relationship between the mass spectrum in each laser irradiation position of the comparative example 2, and the number of shots, and signal intensity.

  A sample preparation method for MALDI-MS according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, regarding the standard of the amount expressed in%, it is assumed to be v / v% unless otherwise specified.

  First, a sample solution containing a substance to be analyzed and a liquid matrix are dropped into the same well of the sample plate 10. Examples of substances to be analyzed include protein enzyme digests and peptides. In addition, glycoprotein digests, sugar chains and the like are also targeted, but not limited thereto. The solvent of the sample solution is preferably a liquid chromatographic eluate of enzyme digest of protein. The sample liquid and the liquid matrix may be dropped on the sample plate 10 in a premixed state, or may be dropped separately and mixed on the sample plate 10.

  Thereafter, a droplet unifying liquid containing methanol or acetonitrile is dropped into the well. Thereby, even when the mixture of the sample liquid and the liquid matrix is dispersed in a plurality of droplets in the well, the plurality of droplets can be combined into one by the droplet unifying liquid placed on the well. it can.

  The liquid matrix is an organic salt formed from an acid and a base, wherein the acid is composed of a benzene ring having an acidic group (for example, α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), 2, 5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid and the like, and the base is an amine (for example, butylamine, dihydroxyamine, N, N-diisopropylethylamine, N-isopropyl-N). -Methyl-tert-butylamine, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine, etc.). Examples of such liquid matrix include α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid butylamine salt (CHCA_B), α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid dihydroxylamine salt, and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid. A butylamine salt, a dihydroxylamine salt of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and the like can be used. Furthermore, it is desirable to use the liquid matrix prepared by mixing the acid and the base in a molar ratio of 1: 1.

  As the liquid for liquid droplet unification, it is desirable to use an aqueous solution containing methanol or acetonitrile at a ratio of 60% or more (preferably 75% or more). Note that 100% methanol or acetonitrile may be used. In order to form a uniform sample / matrix mixture on the sample plate, it is particularly effective to use methanol or acetonitrile, but other organic solvents can be used instead. Further, it is desirable that the droplet unifying liquid is dropped so that the volume ratio of the mixture of the sample liquid and the liquid matrix: the droplet unifying liquid is 10: 1 to 1:10.

  As described above, after the sample preparation is completed, the liquid for unifying droplets is evaporated by natural drying or supplying hot air to the upper surface of the sample plate 10. The sample plate 10 is analyzed using a MALDI mass spectrometer, for example, a MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOFMS apparatus) to obtain a mass spectrum in a predetermined mass range.

  At this time, in each well of the sample plate, since the sample / matrix mixture exists in a uniform state, variation in mass spectrum due to the laser irradiation position can be suppressed. In addition, since the liquid matrix has higher ionization sustainability than the solid matrix, laser irradiation can be repeatedly performed on the same portion. Therefore, when analyzing a sample prepared by the method of the present invention, it is not necessary to perform laser irradiation of tens to hundreds of points by raster analysis as in MALDI-MS analysis using a conventional solid matrix, Highly sensitive analysis can be performed by laser irradiation of about 1 to 3 points per well.

  Sample preparation by the method of the present invention as described above may be performed manually by an analysis operator, but is preferably performed using an automatic dropping apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of an automatic sample dropping apparatus for preparing a sample according to the present invention will be described. In addition, although the automatic sample dropping apparatus of the structure which drops the sample liquid eluted from a liquid chromatograph apparatus on a sample plate is demonstrated here, the sample liquid previously accommodated in the apparatus of another structure, for example, a vial bottle etc., is described. The sample preparation method according to the present invention can be similarly applied to an automatic sample dropping device configured to collect and drop on a sample plate.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the automatic sample dropping device 30 together with the liquid chromatograph device. The eluent (mobile phase) stored in the eluent tank 21 is sucked by the liquid feed pump 22 and flows to the column 24 through the sample introduction unit 23 at a constant flow rate. The sample liquid injected into the mobile phase in the sample introduction unit 23 rides on the mobile phase, is introduced into the column 24, and is separated and eluted in the time direction while passing through the column 24. The detector 25, which is an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, sequentially detects components eluting from the column 24 and sends detection signals to the signal processing unit 41. All or part of the eluate that has passed through the detector 25 is introduced into the automatic sample dropping device 30.

  The automatic sample dropping device 30 includes a first pipe 31 connected downstream of the detector 25, a second pipe 32 that supplies a liquid matrix (for example, CHCA_B) to the first pipe 31, and the first pipe 31. It has the 3rd piping 33 which supplies the liquid for liquid droplet unification (for example, 75% methanol aqueous solution). The liquid matrix stored in the liquid container 34 is sucked by the liquid feeding pump 35 and guided to the first pipe 31 through the second pipe 32. Further, the liquid for unifying droplets stored in the liquid container 36 is sucked by the liquid feed pump 37 and guided to the first pipe 31 through the third pipe 33.

  The first pipe 31 has a double pipe structure between the connection point A with the second pipe 32 and the connection point B with the third pipe, and the liquid matrix flowing through the second pipe 32 is the sample liquid. It is designed to flow outside the pipe where the water flows. Further, the first pipe 31 has a triple pipe structure downstream from the connection point B with the third pipe 33, and the liquid for unifying droplets flowing through the third pipe 33 is further in the pipe through which the liquid matrix flows. It is designed to flow outside. A needle 38 having a triple-pipe structure is connected to the tip of the first pipe 31, and a sample liquid, a liquid matrix, and a droplet unifying liquid are dropped from the tip toward the sample plate 10.

  The needle 38 can be moved in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by a needle drive mechanism (not shown), and the sample liquid, liquid matrix, or liquid for unifying droplets is fed to the needle 38 while moving the needle 38. By immersing, droplets can be sequentially discharged to each well 11 on the sample plate 10.

  The automatic sample dropping device 30 further includes a signal processing unit 41 and a control unit 42. The signal processing unit 41 creates a chromatogram based on the detection signal obtained from the detector 25 of the liquid chromatograph device, and uses the peak appearing in the chromatogram to instruct the sampling timing of the sample component. Generate control signals. The control unit 42 controls the operations of the liquid feed pumps 35 and 37, the needle drive mechanism, and the electromagnetic valve 39 provided on the first pipe 31 according to the control signal.

  When the sample liquid eluted from the column 24 is dropped onto the sample plate 10, the sample liquid and the liquid matrix are simultaneously discharged from the tip of the needle 38 by controlling the electromagnetic valve 39 and the liquid feed pump 35. When the sample liquid and the liquid matrix are discharged while moving the needle 38 and the dropping of the sample liquid and the liquid matrix into all the wells 11 on the sample plate 10 is completed, the next operation is started. That is, the needle 38 is moved again onto the well where the dropping of the sample liquid and the liquid matrix is completed, and the liquid feeding pump 37 is operated to drop the liquid for unifying liquid droplets so that one liquid droplet is put on the well. To unify.

  In view of working efficiency, it is desirable to drop the liquid for unifying the liquid droplets after dropping the sample liquid and the liquid matrix into the wells on the sample plate as described above. The droplet unifying liquid may be dropped every time the sample liquid and the liquid matrix are dropped.

  Hereinafter, the content and result of the experiment for the comparison with the conventional method which this inventor performed about the Example of the sample preparation method for MALDI-MS which concerns on this invention are demonstrated. In the following experiments, mass spectra were measured using a MALDI-TOFMS apparatus “AXIMA Performance” (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation), and using a “μFocus MALDI plate” (manufactured by Hudson Surface Technology) as a sample plate for MALDI. .

[1] Comparative Experiment of Droplet Uniformity and Ionization Persistence Examples 1 and 2 described below are samples prepared by the method of the present invention, and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are used for droplet unification. This is a sample prepared by a conventional method in which no liquid is dropped. In Example 1, 100% methanol was used as the liquid for liquid droplet unification, and in Example 2, 100% acetonitrile was used. In Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 2, CHCA_B, which is a liquid matrix, is used as a matrix to be mixed with the sample solution, and CHCA_B is dissolved in a 50% acetonitrile aqueous solution containing 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid at a concentration of 1 mg / mL. Used. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, CHCA, which is a solid matrix, was used as a matrix, and CHCA was dissolved in a 50% acetonitrile aqueous solution containing 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid at a concentration of 3 mg / mL (maker recommended concentration). In the following experiments, a peptide (Angiotensin_2, ACTH1-18, or ACTH7-38) was used as an analysis target substance, and the peptide was converted into a 27% acetonitrile (ACN) aqueous solution containing 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The sample solution was dissolved in (maximum acetonitrile ratio under LC extraction solvent conditions) so as to be 100 fmol / μL.

About Example 1, 2, it experimented in the following procedures.
(1) First, 1 μL each of the liquid matrix and the sample solution was dropped into the same well of the sample plate.
(2) Thereafter, 1 μL of 100% methanol or 100% acetonitrile was dropped onto the well.
(3) The sample plate was inserted into a MALDI-TOFMS apparatus for mass spectrometry. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the nine points on the surface of the sample / matrix mixture was subjected to laser irradiation for 500 (or 1000) shots.

  On the other hand, for Comparative Example 1, a solid matrix solution was used in place of the liquid matrix in the step (1), and the step (2) was omitted. Otherwise, the experiment was performed in the same manner as in Examples 1 and 2 above. Went. Moreover, about the comparative example 2, the process of said (2) was abbreviate | omitted and it experimented like the said Examples 1 and 2 other than that.

  FIG. 4 shows an enlarged photograph of the sample plate immediately before analysis by the MALDI-TOFMS apparatus. As shown in the figure, in Comparative Example 1 (FIG. 4C), small crystals of the sample / solid matrix mixture are scattered in the well, and in Comparative Example 2 (FIG. 4D), the sample / liquid matrix is scattered. Small droplets of the mixture were scattered unevenly in the well. In contrast, in both Example 1 (FIG. 4A) and Example 2 (FIG. 4B), it was confirmed that the sample / liquid matrix mixture was unified into one droplet in the well. It was done.

  5 to 8 are graphs showing the mass spectra at the nine points in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and the ionization sustainability at the nine points (that is, a graph showing the relationship between the number of shots and the signal intensity). ). The resolution R shown in each figure is R = (m / z value) / (full width at half maximum of peak).

  In Comparative Example 1 (FIG. 7), ionization persistence was low, and the peak shape of the mass spectrum was also varied among the nine points. In Comparative Example 2 (FIG. 8), the peak of the analyte was not detected at 8 out of the 9 points. This is because the small droplet of the sample / liquid matrix mixture was transferred to the sample plate as described above. This is probably because the laser beam did not hit the droplets at the eight points because of uneven scattering above. On the other hand, in Example 1 (FIG. 5) and Example 2 (FIG. 6), the peak of the analyte is detected at any point, and the ionization sustainability and resolution are higher than in Comparative Example 1, It was confirmed that the difference in mass spectrum peak shape between the nine points was also smaller than that in Comparative Example 1.

[2] Comparative experiment of analysis time Example 3 described below is a sample prepared by the method of the present invention, and Comparative Example 3 is a sample prepared by a conventional method. In the following experiment, dropping of the sample liquid and liquid matrix (or solid matrix solution) is performed by an automatic sample dropping device (Accuspot, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation), and dropping of the liquid for liquid droplet unification (that is, 100% methanol) is analyzed. The worker performed it manually. In Example 3, CHCA_B, which is a liquid matrix, was used as a matrix to be mixed with the sample solution, and CHCA_B was dissolved in a 50% acetonitrile aqueous solution containing 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid at a concentration of 1 mg / mL as in Example 1. The sample was prepared so as to be dropped onto the well and set in an automatic sample dropping device. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 3, CHCA, which is a solid matrix, was used as the matrix, and CHCA dissolved in 50% acetonitrile aqueous solution containing 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid at a concentration of 3 mg / mL was dropped onto the well. And set in an automatic sample dropping device.

About Example 3, it experimented as follows.
(1) First, a liquid matrix was set in an automatic dropping device, and a sample plate was placed at a predetermined position in the device.
(2) Into the HPLC system connected to the automatic dropping device, a commercially available BSA trypsin digest (manufactured by Waters) dissolved in 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid aqueous solution to 5 pmol / 5 μL was injected, Sample separation was performed in 6 minutes according to the retention time (sample retention time for the column).
(3) At the same time, the sample solution eluted from the column and the liquid matrix were dropped into 60 wells of the sample plate.
(4) Thereafter, 1 μL of 100% methanol was dropped on the sample / matrix mixture in each well.
(5) Insert this sample plate into the MALDI-TOFMS apparatus, and set it to perform MS analysis by laser irradiation of only one point on the sample / matrix mixture surface, followed by laser irradiation of only two points. In addition, automatic analysis was performed by setting the MS / MS ion search analysis of the database search software for proteome analysis (MASCOT, MATRIX SCIENCE) using the obtained data.
(6) After completion of the automatic analysis, the obtained MS / MS ion search result was confirmed to confirm the identification of the sample.

  On the other hand, in Comparative Example 3, a solid matrix solution was used instead of the liquid matrix, and the step (4) was omitted. Furthermore, in the step (5), 64 points on the surface of the sample / matrix mixture are laser-irradiated to perform MS analysis, and then 100 points are laser-irradiated to perform MS / MS analysis to perform automatic raster analysis. It was. Other points are the same as in the third embodiment.

  Table 1 below shows the MS / MS ion search (Mascot Search in the table) score and sequence coverage, and the analysis time of MS analysis and MSMS analysis in Example 3 and Comparative Example 3 described above.

  As is clear from Table 1, in Example 3 using the sample preparation method of the present invention, a sample with a sufficient score in an analysis time of about 1/4 as compared with Comparative Example 3 using the conventional sample preparation method. It was confirmed that identification was possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Sample plate 11 ... Well 21 ... Eluent tank 22 ... Liquid feed pump 23 ... Sample introduction part 24 ... Column 25 ... Detector 30 ... Automatic sample dripping device 31 ... First piping 32 ... Second piping 33 ... Third piping 34, 36 ... Liquid containers 35, 37 ... Liquid feed pump 38 ... Needle 39 ... Electromagnetic valve 41 ... Signal processing unit 42 ... Control unit

Claims (3)

A method for preparing a sample for mass spectrometry by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization, comprising:
a) An organic salt formed from an acid and a base, wherein the acid is a benzene ring having an acidic group and the base is an amine, and a sample solution containing an analyte is dropped onto a sample plate. Steps,
b) dropping the liquid unifying liquid containing methanol or acetonitrile on the liquid matrix and the sample liquid dropped on the sample plate;
A sample preparation method for MALDI-MS, comprising:   The sample preparation method for MALDI-MS according to claim 1, wherein the liquid for unifying droplets is a liquid containing 60 v / v% or more of methanol or acetonitrile.   The liquid matrix comprises α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid butylamine salt, α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid dihydroxylamine salt, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid butylamine salt, and 2,5 3. The sample preparation method for MALDI-MS according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sample is at least one organic salt selected from the group consisting of dihydroxylamine salts of dihydroxybenzoic acid.