Mass spectrometry of oligonucleotides
Stefan Schürch1, Jan M Tromp, Selina T M Monn
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. stefan.schuerch@ioc.unibe.ch
Abstract:
Expanding research in the field of modified oligonucleotides demands suitable analytical tools for size and purity verification of known compounds and accurate structure elucidation of unknowns. There is a need for characterization of the types and sites of modifications in oligonucleotides and to identify and sequence selected candidates originating from synthesis. The potential of electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) for structural characterization and sequencing of oligonucleotides is demonstrated. The fundamental behavior of DNA, RNA, and selected modified oligonucleotides in gas-phase is shown. Since gas-phase dissociation does not demand specific structural prerequisites, the method bears a great potential for rapid and most accurate characterization of modified oligonucleotides, e.g. from combinatorial libraries.
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