Re: mass spec: maldi of phage coat protein

Jeni Lauer-Fields (jlauer@ACC.FAU.EDU)
Fri, 26 Nov 1999 10:06:48 -0400 (EDT)

We've been using a new matrix mixture with very nice results. It came from a
preprint of a paper by W. Henkel et al. The paper might have been published by
now in Biochemistry.

The matrix is a mixture of dihidroxy-benzoic acid and methoxy-salicylic acid.
Each component is dissolved in 0.1% TFA/H2O, MeCN (2:1), at 20mg/ml. The two
solutions are then mixed 9:1 (respectively). It was cited as a matrix for
branched triple-helical peptides. These peptides have been historically
difficult to ionize due to the covalent branch. I don't know if it will work for
your seemingly uncharged peptide, but it's fairly easy to try.

We've found the matrix to be widely applicable. I've had especially good luck
using it with enzymatic cleavage products that are in difficult buffers
(tris/tricine, salts, detergents).

Good luck,

Jeni

Janelle Lauer-Fields
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
561-297-2094/Fax 561-297-2759